East Gippsland
Regional
Catchment
Strategy
COPYRIGHT © East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.
Published by:
East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority,
574 Main Street, Bairnsdale. Victoria 3875.
ISBN:
978-0-9758164-6-2
Copyright
This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.
The material in this publication can be copied, printed and displayed in an unmodified form for personal use, or by educational institutions,
government departments and natural resource agencies and groups for non-commercial purposes. The source should be acknowledged.
Please cite this document as: East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (2013). East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy
2013–2019. Bairnsdale: East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.
National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry
Author:
East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
Title:
East Gippsland regional catchment strategy 2013 -2019
ISBN:
9780975816462 (pbk.)
Subjects:
Natural resources--Victoria--Gippsland--Management. Land use--Environmental aspects--Victoria--Gippsland. Water
shed management--Government policy--Victoria--Gippsland.
Dewey Number:
333.7099456
Disclaimer
This publication may be of assistance to you but the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and its employees do not guarantee
that it is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or
other consequences which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
The digital information in this document is reproduced with the permission of the Department of Environment and Primary Industries.
The State of Victoria and the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of information in
this product.
Reproduction of this information without the permission of the Department of Environment and Primary Industries is prohibited.
The level of government investment in the implementation of this strategy is contingent on budgets and government priorities.
East Gipps
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East Gippslan
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Contents
Vision ....................................................................................................................................... iv Chairman's foreword ................................................................................................................ iv Summary.................................................................................................................................. 1 1 Overview of the strategy...................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Purpose..................................................................................................................................... 7 1.2 What is included in the RCS ..................................................................................................... 7 1.3 What is not included in the RCS ............................................................................................... 7 1.4 Structure of the report ............................................................................................................... 7 2 Context of this RCS ............................................................................................................. 8 2.1 History ....................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Legislative context .................................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Compliance requirements ......................................................................................................... 9 2.4 RCS context .............................................................................................................................. 9 3 People and partnerships ................................................................................................... 10 3.1 Community relationships in East Gippsland ........................................................................... 10 3.2 Partners .................................................................................................................................. 10 3.3 Aboriginal culture and Country ............................................................................................... 11 3.4 Traditional owners and native title .......................................................................................... 11 4 Regional overview ............................................................................................................. 13 4.1 Environmental ......................................................................................................................... 13 4.2 Social ...................................................................................................................................... 14 4.3 Economic ................................................................................................................................ 15 5 Development of the RCS................................................................................................... 16 5.1 Review of the 2005 RCS ........................................................................................................ 16 5.2 RCS development principles .................................................................................................. 16 5.3 The assets of East Gippsland ................................................................................................. 16 5.4 RCS development process ..................................................................................................... 20 5.5 Consultation ............................................................................................................................ 27 6 Management priorities ....................................................................................................... 28 6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 28 6.2 Region-wide values, threats and issues ................................................................................. 28 6.3 Region-wide program ............................................................................................................. 30 6.4 Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland program .............................................................................. 32 6.5 Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment program ......................................................................... 38 6.6 East Coast program ................................................................................................................ 42 6.7 Far East Catchments program ............................................................................................... 47 7 Implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting ...................................................... 53 7.1 Implementation ....................................................................................................................... 53 7.2 Monitoring, evaluation and reporting ...................................................................................... 54 Appendix 1 ............................................................................................................................. 56 Appendix 2 ............................................................................................................................. 57 Shortened forms .................................................................................................................... 59 Glossary ................................................................................................................................. 60 References............................................................................................................................. 61 iii
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Vision
The 2033 environment
A rich, biologically diverse region, managed on sound scientific principles in a way that
responds to the values and needs of its human communities; a place where residents and
visitors alike respect and conserve its natural wealth, as the foundation of their well-being; a
place whose people, acting for all Australians, accept collective responsibility for the region’s
future.
Chairman's foreword
I am proud to present the 2013 East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS). The
RCS has been prepared by the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority on behalf
of the East Gippsland region. It has been developed with strong input from the regional
community, delivery partners and other agencies involved in catchment planning.
Our region is the environmental 'jewel in the crown' in Victoria. It contains a wealth of
significant natural assets including rivers, wetlands and many national parks and reserves. It
is the only place on mainland Australia where the continuity of natural ecosystems – from the
alps to the sea – still exists.
The natural resources of the region are used to generate wealth in many ways. For instance,
the major river floodplains are used for intensive horticulture, the alpine areas for
recreational activities, and the foothills for grazing and timber production.
The 2013 RCS marks the next era for integrated catchment management. Its priority
management objectives recognise and balance the need to both sustain the productive
values of the region, and to manage threats to the region’s terrestrial and aquatic
environments.
The RCS recognises that some threats require active management. Pest plants and animals
pose a significant threat to biodiversity, erosion and sediment impact on water quality in
rivers and estuaries, and the loss of areas of remnant vegetation can lead to degradation of
our land and soils.
The management of our assets is a responsibility that we all share. This can be done most
effectively when individuals, community groups and land and water management agencies
work in partnership to achieve agreed outcomes.
I would like to thank the individuals, community groups and management agencies who
contributed to the development of the RCS, including those who commented on the draft
version.
The challenge now is to implement the proposals outlined in the RCS. I invite you all, as
individuals, as community groups and as agencies to contribute to the maintenance and
improvement of the environmental and productive assets on which our prosperity and way of
life depends.
Dr Peter Veenker, Chair
East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Summary
Summary
This is the third regional catchment strategy for East Gippsland. The first was published in
June 1997 by the then East Gippsland Regional Catchment and Land Protection Board. The
second was published in June 2005.
East Gippsland is about 83% public land, little changed from its form 200 years ago. About
41,000 people now live along the coastal plains or the strips of farming land up the river
valleys and on the mountain plateaux.
In East Gippsland we highly value the productive use of our region's assets. This use
includes farming, tourism, manufacturing, lifestyle and conservation, to name a few.
The role of the regional catchment strategy is not to define issues at a local scale but to
prioritise tasks required to maintain our ability to utilise our assets in an ongoing way without
adverse impact on others.
It does not override or inform change to laws and regulations.
This document raises issues that that require discussion within the region to further inform
our strategic thinking.
The earlier regional catchment strategies allowed us to develop a long-term strategic picture
for managing our natural assets which is now further advanced in this third version.
This strategy sets out the high level priorities for the East Gippsland region for the next six
years. It provides an integrated planning framework for managing land, water and
biodiversity in the region, in line with the requirements of the Catchment and Land Protection
Act 1994.
The strategy works exclusively at a strategic level. It:

sets strategic directions and identifies strategic actions

directs the future development of sub-strategies and plans

sets broad priorities with principles and directions for implementation

sets priorities for ‘landscape scale' programs of management

establishes the principles for monitoring and evaluating its effectiveness.
The views of the East Gippsland community have been incorporated into the strategy.
Since the 2005 regional catchment strategy, consultation programs have included targeted
landholder interviews, consultations during development of regional plans and strategies,
media campaigns, as well as an on-going program to continuously inform the regional
community about the strategy, and to record community views.
During the development of the strategy, community consultations included a series of ‘open
houses’. Stakeholders, particularly delivery partners in land management, were consulted
during workshops. Other regional partner organisations were also informed and consulted
about the strategy, including the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation.
In preparing the strategy, the natural assets of East Gippsland were assessed using the
‘asset based approach’. Regional workshops were conducted in two stages, attended by
relevant partners (regional and state agencies and non-government organisations) and
external scientists, through which integrated objectives were developed, in four ‘landscape
areas’. Management programs for each landscape area were then developed.
The landscape areas were:

Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland (GLH)

Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment (GLUC)

East Coast (EC)

Far East Catchments (FEC)
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Summary
Objectives and management programs applying to the whole region were also developed.
The integrated objectives for each landscape area program are shown below (Figures 1.1
to 1.4). The numbering of the objectives does not imply a priority order.
Figure 1.1
Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland landscape area showing priority areas
Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland program
GLH1
Targeted improvement of the productive values and stability of agricultural land and soils
GLH2
Targeted improvement of the condition, security, diversity and connectivity of native vegetation
GLH3
Targeted improvement of the status of threatened species and communities
GLH4
Targeted improvement of the water quality and freshwater flow regime of the Gippsland Lakes
GLH5
Improved knowledge of location, condition and risks to wetlands on the Redgum Plains, Lower Mitchell
and Lower Tambo rivers
GLH6
Targeted provision of appropriate freshwater and salinity regimes for selected fringing wetlands of the
Gippsland Lakes
GLH7
Increased sustainability of land use, with development in appropriate nodes along the Gippsland Lakes
coastline
GLH8
Plan for adaptation of Gippsland Lakes communities to changing conditions along the coastline
GLH9
Targeted improvement in the condition of the Nicholson and Mitchell rivers
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Figure 1.2
Summary
Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment showing priority areas
Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment program
GLUC1
Maintenance and targeted improvement of the condition, security, diversity and integrity of natural
ecosystems and the status of threatened species and communities
GLUC2
Maintenance of soil condition and stability on public land
GLUC3
Targeted protection of the water quality and freshwater flow regime of the Gippsland Lakes
GLUC4
Targeted improvement of the productive values and stability of the Dargo Mountain Basin and Tambo
Valley agricultural land and soils
GLUC5
Targeted improvement of the condition, security, diversity and connectivity of native vegetation within
the Dargo Mountain Basin and Tambo Valley, and along the Wonnangatta River
GLUC6
Targeted improvement of the condition of Alpine peatlands
GLUC7
Targeted improvement of the condition of the waterways in the upper catchment to the Gippsland
Lakes, particularly along the Mitchell and Nicholson rivers
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Figure 1.3
Summary
East Coast showing priority areas
East Coast program
EC1
Maintenance and targeted improvement of the condition, security, diversity and integrity of natural
ecosystems and the status of threatened species and communities
EC2
Improved understanding of the effects of coastal processes and acceleration of these changes on
susceptible species and communities with high natural values
EC3
Improved knowledge of risks, and maintenance of the condition of wetlands between Lake Tyers and the
Snowy River, near the Thurra and Wingan rivers, and east of Mallacoota
EC4
Targeted improvement of the productive values and stability of Lower Snowy agricultural land and soils
EC5
Improved awareness of the implications of disturbing potential acid sulfate soils by the landholders of the
lower Snowy agricultural land
EC6
Targeted improvement of the condition, security, diversity and connectivity of wetland and riparian
(estuarine and riverine) native vegetation in the Lower Snowy and Brodribb rivers and Cabbage Tree
Creek
EC7
Increased sustainability of land use, with development in appropriate nodes adjacent to townships along
the East Coast
EC8
Improved knowledge of risks, and maintenance of the condition of the Croajingolong and Cape Howe
marine assets
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Figure 1.4
Summary
Far East Catchments showing priority areas
Far East Catchments program
FEC1
Maintenance and targeted improvement of the condition, security, diversity and integrity of natural
ecosystems and the status of threatened species and communities
FEC2
Maintenance of soil condition and stability on public land
FEC3
Targeted improvement of the productive values and stability of the Snowy Mountain Basin and Buchan
Valley agricultural land and soils
FEC4
Targeted improvement of the condition, security, diversity and connectivity of native vegetation within
the Monaro Tablelands, floodplains of the Cann and Genoa rivers and along the Combienbar River
FEC5
Targeted improvement of the condition of Alpine peatlands
FEC6
Targeted improvement in the condition of the upstream reaches of the Cann River
Region-wide program
RW1
Establishment of an effective biosecurity approach to invasive plants and animals management in East
Gippsland
RW2
Maintenance of the productive values and stability of agricultural land and soils
RW3
Limit the risk of pathogen movement (e.g. Myrtle Rust and Phytophthora root rot) in terrestrial
environments
RW4
Implement fire management regimes that promote the resilience and health of natural ecosystems
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Overview
1 Overview of the strategy
1.1
Purpose
The 2013 regional catchment strategy (RCS) provides an integrated planning framework for
managing land, water and biodiversity in the East Gippsland region for the next six years. In
line with the requirements of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act), the
principal objectives of the strategy are to:

establish a framework for the integrated and coordinated management of
catchments; and,

establish processes that can be used to assess the condition of the region's land and
water resources, and the effectiveness of land protection measures
The RCS presents a planning framework which focuses on maintaining the condition and
productivity (sustainability) of the natural assets of the region. The RCS uses a risk based
prioritisation process, based on an assessment of ‘the land and water resources of the
catchments of the region and how they are used’ (CaLP Act).
In developing future management priorities, the RCS does not focus on the resources drawn
from the natural assets, or the social or economic benefits which are derived from that use.
1.2
What is included in the RCS
The RCS works exclusively at a strategic level. It:

sets strategic direction and identifies strategic actions

provides direction for the future development of plans

sets broad priorities with principles and directions for implementation

sets priorities for ‘landscape scale' programs of management

establishes the principles for monitoring and evaluating its effectiveness.
1.3
What is not included in the RCS
The RCS does not aim to provide detailed information at the level that could be expected in
action plans. The East Gippsland CMA Board has provided resources for implementation
planning to begin immediately following completion of the RCS.
The document raises issues that require discussion within the region to further inform our
strategic thinking.
1.4
Structure of the report
Chapters 1 to 4 contain background material. As most of this has not changed significantly
since the 2005 RCS, it has been kept brief.
Chapter 5 explains the processes used to develop the strategy.
Chapter 6 details the results of the analysis and priority setting undertaken in preparing the
strategy. It lists the natural values of each landscape area, the objectives for protecting
them, and the actions needed to meet the objectives.
Chapter 7 describes the implementation arrangements for the RCS, and outlines the
proposed program for the monitoring, evaluation and review of its implementation.
The details of the information and processes used in preparing the strategy will be contained
in a separate supporting document.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Context
2 Context of this RCS
2.1
History
The first East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy was published in June 1997 by the
East Gippsland Regional Catchment and Land Protection Board. The Board was then
replaced by the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (EGCMA).
The second RCS was published in June 2005. The 2005 strategy used the concept of
natural ‘assets’ as the basis for management. Groups of similar assets (‘asset classes’)
could consist of a number of areas of land or water which were widely separated. Within
each asset class ‘management units’ were defined using geographical boundaries. There
were six asset classes identified – freehold land, state forests, parks, coastal and marine,
catchments and groundwater.
Section 5.1 of this RCS contains a summary of the review of the 2005 strategy which was
prepared in November 2009.
2.2
Legislative context
The development of a regional catchment strategy is a requirement of the Catchment and
Land Protection Act 1994. Each of the ten catchment management authorities in Victoria
must prepare a regional catchment strategy for its region and coordinate and monitor its
implementation.
The Victorian Catchment Management Council (VCMC) has prepared a set of guidelines for
catchment management authorities to follow when developing their strategies. The
guidelines provide a minimum set of requirements for an RCS to receive approval from the
Minister for Environment and Climate Change and the Minister for Water.
The following is a list of the main legislation, in addition to the CaLP Act, which has been
taken into account during the development of this catchment strategy:
Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006
Parks Victoria Act 1998
Climate Change Act 2010
Planning and Environment Act 1987
Coastal Management Act 1995
References Areas Act 1978
Conservation, Forests and Lands Act
1987
Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004
Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978
Environment Effects Act 1978
Victorian Environmental Assessment
Council Act 2001
Environment Protection Act 1970
Water Act 1989
Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth)
Wildlife Act 1975
Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010
Fisheries Act 1995
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
Forests Act 1958
Heritage Act 1995
Heritage Rivers Act 1992
Marine Act 1988
National Parks Act 1975
Native Title Act 1993
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
2.3
Context
Compliance requirements
The RCS has been prepared in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Victorian
Catchment Management Council (VCMC 2011), and standards set by the Department of
Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI; formerly Department of Sustainability and
Environment (DSE)).
2.4
RCS context
The RCS relates to international and national agreements, a significant body of legislation,
and a large number of other strategies, frameworks and plans. The context of the RCS in
relation to these other documents is described in Appendix 1.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
People and partnerships
3 People and partnerships
Within the East Gippsland region, natural resource management (NRM) is undertaken as a
partnership between government agencies and the community. The size of the region, its
large areas of remote and inaccessible public land, and its relatively small population have
highlighted partnerships as being the most effective approach. Many issues requiring
management act at a scale which is beyond the ability of individuals, or individual agencies,
to address.
3.1
Community relationships in East Gippsland
In East Gippsland we pride ourselves on our ability to work together. Effective management
of threats to natural values can involve working across and beyond organisational and
regional boundaries. As a result the East Gippsland community and relevant agencies
maintain strong relationships with neighbouring regions.
The East Gippsland community:

actively identifies and fosters the relationships necessary to support effective
partnerships

shares investment, resources and information.
Considerable experience in integrating works among multiple partners on a landscape scale
has been gained through the ‘Protecting the Best’ and ‘Highlands Down’ initiatives, that are
focused on maintaining the high value ecosystems in the region from the threats posed by
existing and emerging pest plants.
The Highlands Down and Protecting the Best initiatives Highlands Down and Protecting the Best are both landscape scale initiatives applying to all land tenures that aim to protect high value ecosystems and biodiversity values in Eastern Victoria from the threats posed by existing and emerging weeds and pest animals. Both initiatives apply at a multi‐regional scale since the biodiversity values that they seek to protect extend beyond regional boundaries, as do the invasive plants and animals threats to these values. As the instigator of the Highlands Down and Protecting the Best concepts, the EGCMA has been active in promoting these initiatives in the East Gippsland region. These initiatives have provided a catalyst for renewed collaboration by a number of natural resource management agencies involved with weed and pest animal management on public and private land. Individual agencies contribute to the Highlands Down and Protecting the Best objectives by delivering on‐ground works in their area of responsibility using available funds from a mix of internal and external sources. Other successful examples of landscape scale partnership programs in the region are the
‘Back from the Brink’ vegetation and species management program in the Gippsland Lakes
hinterland, and the ‘Southern Ark’ predator control program in the Far East Catchments
landscape area.
3.2
Partners
There are many organisations and individuals involved in managing the region’s natural
assets. By providing clear objectives and priorities over the next six years, the RCS will unify
and coordinate their management efforts.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
People and partnerships
On public land these unified objectives are achieved by establishing strong and effective
partnerships with the agencies responsible for managing public land including DEPI, Parks
Victoria, water authorities, and local government.
On freehold land, each individual landholder is responsible for the management of natural
assets on their land within the law, subject to the caveat that their actions do not cause
deleterious effects or costs to others.
Some landholders choose to become involved in collective action through community groups
such as Landcare groups, and conservation management networks. In East Gippsland,
partnerships are established between these community groups and agencies when interest
in shared outcomes overlap. Many successful partnerships are formed between agencies,
groups and individual landowners.
3.3
Aboriginal culture and Country
Aboriginal people have a strong cultural association with the natural resources and
landscape of the East Gippsland region. Protecting cultural heritage and maintaining
‘connection to Country’ are fundamental to retaining cultural links for present and future
generations of Aboriginal people, since their culture and the environment are so closely
linked.
Aboriginal people have a legitimate aspiration to participate in the management of the
region’s natural resources, and this aspiration is acknowledged by natural resource
management agencies. Aboriginal participation in natural resource management will be
improved by meaningful engagement in NRM decision making processes and the
encouragement of opportunities for Aboriginal people to work in the NRM sector.
3.4
Traditional owners and native title
In October 2010, the Federal Court made a determination (FCA1144) that native title exists
over much of Gippsland and is held by the Gunaikurnai people (those persons who identify
as Gunai, Kurnai, or Gunai/Kurnai). The court recognised the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters
Aboriginal Corporation as the sole holder and representative body of these native title rights
and interests on behalf of all Gunaikurnai people.
At the same time, the State of Victoria entered into a recognition and settlement agreement
with the corporation under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010. The agreement
includes:

a number of cultural recognition and strengthening initiatives

the transfer of 10 parks and reserves to the Gunaikurnai as ‘Aboriginal title’ and
establishment of a traditional owner land management board for joint management
with the state

rights to use crown land for traditional purposes, including hunting, fishing, camping
and gathering in accordance with existing laws

funding for economic development to meet their obligations under the agreement.
These outcomes settle a native title claim dating back to 1997. The agreement only applies
to crown land. There is no effect on private land, and all existing rights and interests in crown
lands and national parks are protected.
The Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation is also the appointed Registered
Aboriginal Party under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 for the Gunai/Kurnai native title
area.
As the recognised traditional owner entity for the Gunaikurnai native title determination area,
Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation is responsible for native title, cultural
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
People and partnerships
heritage, land, natural resource management, business, employment, economic
development and capacity building matters that affect the Gunaikurnai community.
The areas subject to the Gunaikurnai native title consent determination and settlement
agreement are fully detailed in the federal court’s formal consent determination. The external
boundary of the determination area extends from Yarragon east to Orbost, and from Mt
Hotham south to the coast between Toora and Marlo. The Gunaikurnai native title
determination area thus extends across most of the western half of the region.
In the east of the region, there are a number of Aboriginal groups asserting interest in
claiming recognition as traditional owners.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Regional overview
4 Regional overview
Figure 4.1
4.1
The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority region
Environmental
The East Gippsland Catchment Management region covers 2.2 million hectares of land,
lakes and coastal waters in eastern Victoria. The region covers about 10% of Victoria.
The region is entirely south of the Great Dividing Range and includes the catchments of
streams from the Mitchell River eastwards to the Victoria–New South Wales border.
The northern boundary is formed by the Great Dividing Range where mountains rise to
elevations of 1500 metres. The southern boundary is located three nautical miles (5.5 km)
off the coast.
Rivers generally run from north to south, rising in the alpine reaches and progressing
through lowland forests to coastal estuaries in the south.
About 83% of the land is in public ownership, mainly as state forests, national and coastal
parks, and marine national parks and virtually all of this remains clothed in native vegetation.
The region contains a number of significant natural assets including declared ‘heritage
rivers’, Ramsar listed wetlands and many national parks and reserves, stretching from subalpine environments to the coast. It is the only place on mainland Australia where such
continuity of natural ecosystems – from the alps to the sea – still exists . This, and the
biogeographic location of the region (overlapping cool and warm temperate zones, with their
associated plants and animals) help make the region a major reservoir for native biodiversity
– about 3000 plant species grow here, and there are nearly 500 species of terrestrial
vertebrate animals, several hundred species of fish in the rivers, lakes and ocean and a vast
and as yet uncounted invertebrate fauna.
Private land covers 17% of the region. Grazing occupies the largest area and there are
significant productive areas of irrigated horticulture and dairying on the floodplains of the
Snowy and Mitchell rivers.
East Gippsland is generally sheltered by topography from both the winter cold fronts and the
rain-bearing north-westerly winds that produce precipitation over the Great Dividing Range.
However, low pressure systems off the east coast can be responsible for extremely heavy
rainfall events in East Gippsland. These events may bring rainfall in excess of 100 mm in 24
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Regional overview
hours, with the second highest Victorian daily rainfall on record at Nowa Nowa of 275.1 mm
(11 March 1906).1 East Gippsland has the greatest frequency of 24-hour rainfall in excess of
75 mm in Victoria (Linforth 1969).
This rainfall variability gives rise to droughts and floods that have an effect on waterway
health, fire and land management. There is potential for this variability to further increase
under the influence of climate change. Projected climate change effects for East Gippsland
are available from the Victorian climate change website (<www.climatechange.vic.gov.au>).
Significant projected climate change effects for East Gippsland include:
Water
By 2030, average annual runoff into the Mitchell River is expected to decrease by up to
25%, while runoff into the Tambo and Snowy rivers is expected to decrease by as much
as 35%.
Agriculture
For dryland cropping, reductions in rainfall and increases in evaporation directly
contribute to reductions in soil moisture. Irrigated agriculture is likely to be affected by
tighter constraints on water allocations. Increased heat stress on dairy cattle has the
potential to reduce milk production.
Biodiversity
Projected climate change will influence the composition of ecosystems and their
distribution by altering water flows in rivers and wetlands and the occurrence of
bushfires, snow and floods. In addition, projected climate change is also likely to amplify
existing threats such as habitat loss and invasive species, making their effects
considerably worse.
Coasts
During this century, the Victorian coastline can expect greater inundation and erosion.
Sea level rise combined with increased storm events and storm surges will result in
damaging waves, wind and flooding, erosion and damage to infrastructure and coastal
and marine ecosystems.
Marine
The marine environment will be affected by increased sea temperatures, changing sea
currents and acidification of the ocean.
Significant region-wide issues are discussed further in Section 6.2
4.2
Social
The region includes most of the East Gippsland Shire, the northern part of the Wellington
Shire, and that part of the Alpine Shire south of the Great Dividing Range. It abuts the
Wangaratta Shire in the north-east and the New South Wales shires of Snowy River,
Bombala and Eden Valley.
In 2011, the East Gippsland local government area had a population of 44,700 people
(DPCD 2012), with the major population centres being Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance,
Paynesville, Orbost and Mallacoota. There are many smaller towns such as Bruthen, Cann
River, Dargo, Ensay and Swifts Creek, with some situated in remote locations.
Over the next 20 years, the population of the area is projected to increase by an average of
1.6% per annum, compared to the projected increase for Victoria of 1.3% per annum (DPCD
2012).
Aboriginal people have a strong cultural association with the natural resources and
landscape of the East Gippsland region (see Chapter 3).
1
Bureau of Meteorology web site
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
4.3
Regional overview
Economic
At the time of the 2006 census, the regional labour force was 16,923 people (of this, 52%
were employed full time, 34%t part time and 6% were unemployed. The remainder were
employed away from home or did not state their hours worked).
The most common occupations for employed people were managers, technicians and trade,
professionals, labourers, clerical and administrative, sales, community and personal service,
and machinery operators and drivers.
When compared with the rest of Australia, there were higher percentages of people
employed as managers, labourers, and community and personal service, and lower
percentages of people employed as professionals and clerical and administrative workers.
Research and analysis of labour supply and skills shortages in East Gippsland undertaken
by the Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations in 2008 (226
employers, in eight main industries) revealed that 61% of employers had recruited or
attempted to recruit in the past 12 months, 9% of vacancies were not filled (the highest
proportion of vacancies in the construction and manufacturing industries), 15% of employers
reported one or more unfilled vacancies, and 60% of recruiting employers reported
recruitment was difficult.
In the 2006 census data, individual and family incomes were substantially lower in East
Gippsland than in the rest of Australia.
Economic profiling for the East Gippsland Shire in 2011 indicated that the major industries
were construction, agriculture, forestry and fishery, health care and social assistance, retail,
manufacturing, accommodation and food services, and education and training.
In 2008, the value of agricultural commodities for East Gippsland was $155 million annually,
consisting of crops, livestock and livestock products (East Gippsland Shire Council 2008).
Victoria’s largest offshore commercial fishing fleet is based at Lakes Entrance. The port
handles about 10,500 tonnes of seafood annually with a landed value of $25 million (Lakes
Entrance Fishermans Cooperative Society Ltd 2011).
Manufacturing is East Gippsland’s largest sector by output, with the main products being fruit
and vegetable products, ships and boats, sawmill products, bakery products and processed
seafood.
Some leading manufacturing brands that operate in East Gippsland are Patties Foods
(pastry products), Lakes Entrance Fishermen's Co-operative Society (processed seafood)
and One Harvest Vegco (horticultural products).
The tourism industry attracted 1.1 million visitors in 2010, contributing $273 million to the
regional economy. Major tourist destinations are Lakes Entrance, Metung and Paynesville
on the Gippsland Lakes, and Mallacoota in the east. Nature based tourism is an important
component of the total tourism industry.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Development of the RCS
5 Development of the RCS
5.1
Review of the 2005 RCS
The 2005 regional catchment strategy was reviewed in November 2009. The review
concluded that the main achievements of the 2005 RCS were that it:

became the vehicle to explain and advocate for integrated strategic natural resource
management

put forward regional strategic priorities for natural resource management

developed an asset framework, providing:

geographically defined descriptions of the region’s natural resource assets

a basis for prioritisation

developed an implementation framework, which has underpinned investment

established the concept of cross-tenure and cross-asset programs of work, focused
on addressing common forms of decline in asset condition.
The review felt that the 2005 RCS was not ‘collectively owned’ by regional stakeholders, and
noted the extent to which DEPI and Parks Victoria worked outside the RCS process.
Suggested improvements for the new RCS were that it should:

become a truly strategic document

address new and emerging issues, particularly climate change

have an improved target framework

include a monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) framework.
5.2
RCS development principles
The principles followed in developing the 2013 RCS were that it must:

be based on the assessment of the natural assets of East Gippsland

examine asset values, their condition, and threats to their condition

apply across the region, regardless of ownership and management

use the best available data and information

identify critical gaps in data and information

be consistent with relevant Victorian legislation, policies and strategies. In particular:

5.3

guidelines developed by the Victorian Catchment Management Council for
preparation of an RCS (VCMC 2011)

guidelines and standards developed by DEPI (formerly DSE);where
approved by the VCMC
consider the views of the East Gippsland community.
The assets of East Gippsland
The natural assets of the region were systematically assessed (using an ‘asset based
approach’). Assets were considered in seven groupings or ‘asset classes’ – Terrestrial
environments, Rivers, Wetlands, Estuaries, Coasts, Marine, and Soil/land.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Development of the RCS
While this approach enabled assessment of each of the asset classes individually, the
development of the RCS’s integrated planning framework also required subsequent recombining of the asset information. These steps were important to ensure that the RCS
developed an appropriate understanding of regional issues which recognised the complex
inter-relationships between asset classes.
The best available data and information have been used. Details of the data and information
used, as well as maps of the asset classes will be contained in a separate supporting
document.
A brief description of the natural assets of East Gippsland assets follows.
Terrestrial environments asset class
The East Gippsland terrestrial environment is dominated by native vegetation, which covers
about 85% of the region; most of this is public land in state forest and national and other
parks and reserves.
The cleared, agricultural lands are concentrated on the Gippsland Plains, the Mitchell and
Tambo river valleys and the Monaro Tablelands, where the original open grassy woodland
lent itself to grazing, and in the fertile river valleys where rich alluvial soil has supported the
development of intensive agriculture.
The native vegetation includes extensive heathlands, woodlands and forest on the coastal
plain, a wide belt of dry and damp forest in the foothills, and highlands and tablelands
covered in tall wet forest. The higher peaks on the northern edge of the region support subalpine and alpine vegetation and there are several rain shadow areas covered in dry
woodland. The extent, continuity and diversity of natural ecosystems make the region
nationally significant as a reservoir for temperate zone biodiversity.
Apart from on the Gippsland Plains in the south-west and on the Monaro Tablelands in the
north-east, cleared areas occupy only small patches within the extensive native vegetation;
this is in contrast to the pattern of the landscape in most of the rest of Victoria. Loss of native
vegetation is only a major biodiversity conservation problem on the plains and in the river
valleys. However, the intact areas are subject to a number of threats that compromise
natural values. Most prominent of these are introduced (invasive) plants and animals, which
displace, or prey upon, native species. Fire is also a pervasive influence with the potential to
change vegetation structure and influence species distribution.
For the East Gippsland RCS, ‘Species, populations and communities’ were not
considered as an asset class, but as values within other asset classes, and the
‘Terrestrial environments’ asset class is equivalent to the ‘Terrestrial habitat’ asset class
referred to in the DSE asset based approach guidelines (DSE 2011a).
Rivers
By a number of criteria, the rivers of East Gippsland are remarkable natural assets of the
entire Victorian community. Six heritage rivers are located within the East Gippsland basins,
several catchments are almost totally free of human disturbance, and East Gippsland has a
much higher proportion of streams in ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’ condition, defined using the Index
of Stream Condition Assessment (DSE, 2005), than the rest of the state.
The Mitchell River is one of only two ‘iconic’ river systems in the state recognised in the
Victorian River Health Strategy. A number of East Gippsland rivers drain into the
internationally significant Gippsland Lakes system. Many of the rivers in the east of the
region are classified as either in ‘near pristine’ or ‘largely unmodified’ condition.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Development of the RCS
Wetlands
East Gippsland has three broad types of wetland: coastal, plains and sub-alpine.
Coastal wetlands tend to be larger, more persistent water bodies which range from fresh
through to saline. Many are ecologically associated with estuaries and are of national or
international importance for waterbird habitat.
Plains and sub-alpine wetlands are generally smaller, more ephemeral and fresh. They
provide important habitat for frogs and a diversity of native vegetation.
All three wetland types support species and/or communities of bioregional, state and/or
national conservation significance. Invasive flora and fauna, changes in water regime and
soil disturbance are threats common to each wetland type. Recreational pressure can be
high on coastal and sub-alpine wetlands, and the latter is particularly susceptible to
inappropriate fire regimes. The status of plains wetlands in the East Gippsland region is not
well understood.
Estuaries
East Gippsland is well endowed with highly valued estuaries. They range from the largest
and most modified in the west of the region, the Gippsland Lakes, to a series of smaller
estuaries that are in a condition close to pristine, protected within national park in the east.
Many of the region’s estuaries provide important waterbird habitat, especially during
drought. The mid-sized estuaries such as Snowy River and Sydenham Inlet are of national
importance, and the Gippsland Lakes are internationally significant. Most estuaries in the
region are valued for recreational purposes: boating, fishing and camping are popular
pursuits. Some estuaries, particularly the Gippsland Lakes, contribute significantly to the
regional economy by providing recreation and tourism opportunities, and aesthetically
pleasing sites for urban development. Altered connectivity to the marine environment has
modified environmental conditions in some of East Gippsland’s estuaries. Catchment based
changes such as vegetation clearance, livestock access and water harvesting also affect the
condition of some of East Gippsland’s estuaries.
Coasts
The East Gippsland coast includes some of Victoria’s most picturesque landscapes including
systems of dunes, rocky headlands, cliffs, marshes and sandy beaches. The coast and its
hinterland supports a variety of vegetation communities. These include Warm Temperate
Rainforest, Littoral Rainforest, many forms of coastal woodlands, shrublands, wetlands and
dunal vegetation.
Much of the coastline is formed from mobile sand dunes shifting gradually eastward.
However, in the far east the coastline is punctuated by rocky headlands and outcrops.
Croajingolong National Park, together with New South Wales Nadgee Nature Reserve, is
part of the largest coastal conservation reserve on the south-eastern Australian mainland,
protecting much of this largely untouched environment.
Victoria’s tourism industry has aptly named the East Gippsland coast as the ‘Wilderness
Coast’. The natural landscapes and seascapes and unspoilt wild beauty of the region’s
coastal environment provide many recreational opportunities and tourism is growing at a
modest rate (GCB 2000). Recreational pursuits include sightseeing, beach going, swimming,
camping and bushwalking. Recreational fishing also continues to grow, with commercially
operated recreational fishing and offshore diving trips becoming increasingly popular.
Recreational boating is a significant activity at these locations and the demand for
infrastructure is steadily increasing.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Development of the RCS
Marine
The significance of the region’s marine environment has been recognised with the
establishment of representative marine national parks including Point Hicks and Cape Howe,
and marine sanctuaries including Beware Reef.
The East Gippsland marine environment is a mixing point for the warm East Australian
current, temperate southern waters that wash over Bass Strait and cool waters from deep
sea upwellings. These upwellings are known to provide nutrients to inshore ecosystems,
contributing to a very productive ecosystem. The region therefore contains a rich diversity of
plant and animal species and is highly productive. About 90 to 95% of the marine species in
the region are endemic to southern Australia.
The catchment, estuarine, coastal and marine environments of the region form parts of a
single system (WorleyParsons 2011). The downstream environments are highly influenced
by conditions and activities upstream. Each has significant intrinsic value and provides
critical nursery habitats for juvenile fish. These environments and the species they support
also play an essential role in the food chain of the region’s ecosystems, providing a large
and diverse food source for other valued species higher in the food chain, particularly birds
and fish.
This highly productive environment supports a number of important recreational and
commercial fisheries from which a significant income is derived. The natural and largely
‘untouched’ features of much of the region also provide considerable tourism opportunities.
Significant oil and gas reserves are located outside Victorian coastal waters. The
development and servicing of these fields provide employment in the region. While some
facilities currently exist, the progressive development of this industry may increase demands
for pipelines and onshore processing.
The role of the RCS, in relation to the marine asset class, is to focus on reducing catchment
based risks to marine natural assets.
Soil/land
Soils in the eastern part of the East Gippsland region are well structured and fertile with high
organic matter content (Sargeant 2011).
In the west of the region, soils are generally low in organic matter content, are lightly
textured and prone to erosion. The lowlands in this part of the region are characterised by
soils of uniform texture contrast. These lowlands, which represent the majority of freehold
land in the region, are mainly used for broad scale grazing of sheep and cattle, with intensive
horticulture and cropping being limited to the more fertile soils found in the river valleys and
on the Redgum Plains. In general, the lowland soils have the potential for increased
agricultural production in the future.
The soils of East Gippsland have been formed from hard rock or from loose material
transported by water or wind, or collected from higher up a slope. The main hard rock
groupings across the region are:

Igneous rocks: Granites (e.g. Swifts Creek and Dargo) and basalts (e.g. Gelantipy)

Sedimentary rock: Limestone (e.g. Buchan)

Metamorphic rock: gneiss and quartzite (e.g. Ensay North).
19
East Gippssland Regional Catchment
C
Strategy 2013–2019
5.4
Development of the RCS
RCS de
evelopm
ment p rocess
The RC
CS was deve
eloped in th
hree stages over two ye
ears (Figure
e 5.4.1).
Figure 5.4.1
5
RCS developme
ent processs
During the develop
pment of the
e strategy, all
a relevant asset classses were de
escribed and
d
mapped
d. Further detail
d
will be
e contained in a separa
ate supporting document. Prioritisa
ation
within th
he RCS devvelopment process
p
wa
as based on
n the followin
ng principle
es:

implementa
ation of the asset base
ed approach
h

use of the best
b
availab
ble data and
d informatio
on to inform decision m
making

open comm
munication and
a regular engagement with regional asset managers and
a
selected sccientists to build
b
undersstanding

use of existting method
ds and toolss to inform the
t application of the a
asset based
approach (e
e.g. the ‘Aq
quatic value identificatio
on and risk assessmen
nt’ (AVIRA)
approach (P
Peters et all. 2009) bassed on the AS/NZS
A
ISO
O 3100 Riskk managem
ment –
Principles and
a guidelin
nes).
Founda
ation stag
ge
Asset significanc
s
e
Significant assets were
w
identiffied and ma
apped based on five crriteria:

productive agricultural land

gnificance (e.g.
(
legislative protecttion)
formally reccognised sig

presence of
o rare or thrreatened sp
pecies, com
mmunities orr ecosystem
ms

condition

other ‘signifficant’ value
es (e.g. geo
ological sign
nificance, drrought refug
ge).
Regiona
al assets which did nott meet any one of the significance
s
e criteria we
ere not cons
sidered
further.
In this stage
s
input from the co
ommunity an
nd the know
wledge of lo
ocal manage
ers was
conside
ered.
20
East Gippssland Regional Catchment
C
Strategy 2013–2019
Development of the RCS
Figure 5.4.2
5
RCS priority settting processs used to id
dentify management prriorities
Data co
ollection and
a risk asssessment
Availab
ble information on the im
mportant va
alues of all significant
s
a
assets
was collected, as
a well
as threa
ats to those
e values. Th
he value and
d threat info
ormation wa
as assessed
d and score
ed to
estimate the condition of each
h asset. Sco
ores were assigned
a
in consultation
n with relev
vant
regiona
al asset man
nagers. Where no regio
onal data were
w
availab
ble, scoring was based on
judgements from re
elevant regional and sttate agency
y partners.
Risk asssessments were conducted on ea
ach significa
ant asset. The
T assessm
ment proced
dure
was ada
apted from the AVIRA process (P
Peters et al. 2009), prod
ducing draftt management
objectivves for further considerration. Asse
et class obje
ectives were
e developed
d for consid
deration
and guidance in assset class and
a integration worksho
ops.
21
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Development of the RCS
Analysis and priority setting stage
Asset class workshops
The aim of the ‘asset class workshops’ was for knowledgeable and experienced staff from
relevant partners (regional and state agencies and non-government organisations) and
external scientists to:

review value and threat scores and risk assessments in a workshop setting

set objectives for the condition of each asset and identify actions to achieve the
objective, for each asset class.
Where possible, the ‘condition trajectory’ (i.e. the likely trend in condition over the next 20
years under current management) was described. Integrated strategic natural values maps
(NaturePrint v2.0), developed by DEPI (formerly DSE); DSE 2011b) assisted the review of
value scores in the terrestrial environments asset class workshop . The risk assessment
process, in addition to considering value and threat scores, took account of the extent of
their ‘association’ (i.e. the extent to which each threat could affect each value). Objectives for
the condition of each asset were developed based on the risk assessments (and draft
management objectives) and local knowledge. These assessments were the product of the
value scores, threat scores and degree of association.
The technical and socio-economic feasibility of achieving the objectives was also assessed.
The objectives were then prioritised, based on the asset values, level of risk, the technical
and social feasibility of achieving the objective, and the knowledge of relevant regional asset
managers.
Workshops were conducted for each individual asset class. The output from each of these
workshops was a list of the priority objectives for their asset class.
Integration workshop
The principal aim of the ‘integration workshop’ was to aggregate priority objectives from each
asset class, and where possible, integrate them with objectives from other asset classes,
identifying where they overlapped geographically within the region, and identifying the
actions required to achieve the objectives. Prior to the workshop, based on a review of the
information from each asset class, the East Gippsland region was divided into four
‘landscape areas’, which were identified based on the following factors:

where the asset based approach identified areas having similar objectives and
management themes

where local knowledge of the region and its communities, as well as consultation with
public land managers indicated common interests and goals.
The size of landscape areas were set at a manageable scale for implementation, large
enough to be effective.
The landscape areas adopted for the integration process were:

Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland

Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment

East Coast

Far East Catchments.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Development of the RCS
Figure 5.4.3 Map of landscape areas
For each landscape area, participants:

identified priority areas within the landscape area:
Where multiple priority objectives overlapped within the landscape area, objectives
were integrated among asset classes. In these areas, synergies and linkages (e.g.
physical and functional connectivity, similar requirements for management action,
feasibility, and mutual benefits) were sought from workshop participants, and were
used as the basis for integration of multiple objectives. Priority objectives from a
single asset class, applying to an area within the landscape, were also retained,
where they could not be integrated with others.

identified landscape scale priority objectives:
Where multiple priority objectives applied to the whole landscape, synergies and
linkages were sought, and where possible, objectives were integrated. Priority
objectives from a single asset class, applying to the whole landscape, were also
retained, where they could not be integrated with others.
Integrated strategic natural values maps developed by DEPI (formerly DSE); DSE 2011b)
were reviewed during the workshop to assist with objective setting and mapping.
At the end of the integration workshop, a decision was taken to develop the RCS programs
based on the boundaries of the landscape areas for two principal reasons:

landscape areas were found to be at a useful scale for implementation

integrated objectives developed within each landscape area were distinct from those
for other landscape areas (Figure 5.4.3).
A region-wide priority program was also developed. This program outlines high level
objectives and associated management actions that were identified through workshops
which are applicable at a regional scale.
23
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Development of the RCS
Case study on integrated objective development – ‘River asset’
Introduction
Reference to Figures 5.4.1 and 5.4.2 will assist in understanding this section.
A ‘river asset’ was chosen to illustrate how the final integrated objectives were derived.
‘Assets’ within the river asset class were determined based on sub-catchments (drainage)
such that all significant streams and rivers within a sub-catchment were treated as one
asset.
A draft list of values and threats was developed, based on those listed for use in the AVIRA
process (Peters 2011). A group of relevant agency partners selected the most important
values and threats. Data and information (from DEPI datasets(GIS)), EGCMA, the Index of
Stream Condition, EPA, Waterwatch and the AVIRA database) on each of the values and
threats were collected for each asset and draft scores were developed, on a 1 to 5 scale.
Where no data were available, judgements were made, and scores were restricted to ‘high’
(5) ‘medium’ (3) and ‘low’ (1). Value and threat scores were put into a risk assessment
process, which was based on the AVIRA risk assessment process (Peters et al 2009).
Redgum Plains river asset
The ‘Redgum Plains’ river asset is used here in this case study.
The lower reaches of Toms Creek and Forge Creek were considered significant within this
river asset. Data from both reaches were collated, scores were averaged, and input into the
risk assessment (Table 5.4.1).
Figure 5.4.4 Streams considered in the ‘Redgum Plains’ river asset
In the ‘rivers’ asset class workshop (24 February 2012) each value and threat score was
reviewed, as well as the risk assessment for each asset (Table 5.4.1). Objectives were
developed to address the most important risks to assets (e.g. degraded water quality,
invasive terrestrial fauna, barriers to fish migration, loss of in-stream habitat, and invasive
flora (Table 5.4.2). The assessment of the condition trajectory, based on group judgement,
was that current condition is poor to moderate, but improving slowly under current
management interventions.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Development of the RCS
Table 5.4.1 Risk assessment of the ‘Redgum Plains’ river asset
Livestock access
Barriers to fish migration
Reduced floodplain connectivity
Loss of in-stream habitat
Invasive flora (riparian)
Invasive fauna (terrestrial)
Development
Scores
Degraded water quality
River values
Altered flow regimes (low flows)
River threats
3
5
1
5
0
3
3
5
1
Significant riparian
ecological vegetation
5
Low
Moderate Very low
classes (EVCs)
No risk
Aquatic invertebrate
No data
Low –
Very high
community condition
fill data gap fill data gap
Significant amphibians
1
No risk
No risk
No risk
Significant migratory
fish
Riparian vegetation
condition
Drought refuges
No risk
No risk
Very low
Moderate
Very high
Very low
High –
fill data gap
No risk
Moderate –
fill data gap
No risk
No risk
No risk
No risk
No risk
No risk
No risk
Moderate –
Low –
fill data gap fill data gap
1
No risk
No risk
No risk
No risk
No risk
No risk
No risk
No risk
No risk
3
No risk
Very low
No risk
No risk
No risk
No risk
Very low
Moderate
No risk
3
Very low
Moderate
No risk
Moderate
No risk
Very low
No risk
Very low
No risk
Table 5.4.2 Objectives set in the ‘rivers’ asset class workshop
River
Objective
Theme of actions
Category
Improve the current water quality for the
Gippsland Lakes and receiving
environments.
Encourage match of land capability and land use
Immediate
action
Improve diversity, connectivity and extent
of native riparian vegetation.
Landholder engagement and agreements
asset
Redgum
Plains
In-stream stabilisation erosion works
Review plans
Immediate
action
Integrate restoration with other vegetation programs
and link riparian and terrestrial corridors
Restoration and revegetation
Invasive plants and animals – grazers, predators,
high threat weeds
Improve capacity for fish migration from
Forge Creek to Newlands Arm.
Research
Research and
investigate
Objectives were prioritised by the EGCMA Regional Water Programs Manager based on the
values, risks, technical and social feasibility of achieving the objective, local knowledge and
experience, as well as considering the evaluation of the East Gippsland Regional River
Health Strategy 2005-2010 (EGCMA 2008). The priority objective was identified as ‘improve
diversity, connectivity and extent of riparian vegetation’ (Table 5.4.2).
The priority objectives were then brought to the integration workshop, and were aggregated,
and where possible, integrated, with objectives from other asset classes within each
landscape area. In the workshop, the priority objective for the Redgum Plains river asset was
integrated with priority objectives for the Redgum Plains terrestrial environment asset and
Soil/land (Table 5.4.3).
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Development of the RCS
Table 5.4.3 Priority objectives for assets on the Redgum Plains in Terrestrial environments
and Soil/land asset classes
Asset class
Asset
Priority objective
Soil/land
Redgum
Plains
Maintain appropriate ground cover to improve and maintain productive values
minimising the threat of erosion (Action integrated was ‘ establish trees in
vulnerable areas’).
Terrestrial
environments
Redgum
Plains
Improve condition, connectivity and extent of native vegetation on private and
public land (all actions for this objective were integrated).
These objectives were integrated into the two landscape scale objectives for the Gippsland
Lakes and Hinterland (Table 5.4.4). They also contributed benefits to other integrated
objectives, such as those focused on improving the quality of water entering the Gippsland
Lakes.
Table 5.4.4 Integrated landscape scale objective for the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland
GLH2
GLH3
Targeted improvement of
the condition, security,
diversity and connectivity
of native vegetation
Targeted improvement of
the status of threatened
species and communities
Prepare a 10 year plan that establishes priorities for investment into the
establishment and maintenance of areas of native vegetation in the
Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland, particularly on the Redgum Plains, with
focus on the following:
GLH2.1
 existing native vegetation patches on the Redgum Plains with
potential for connection
GLH2.2
 native vegetation where land meets water in riparian, wetland
and estuarine environments (e.g. stream corridors, fringing
wetlands of the Gippsland Lakes)
GLH2.3
 areas susceptible to wind erosion.
GLH2.4
Develop and improve partnerships to better integrate the
planning and delivery of works and programs among all
partners within the region and across regional boundaries and
to foster shared ownership and responsibility, and where
opportunities are available, on freehold land in partnership with
landholders.
GLH2.5
Investigate opportunities for a multi-region approach to further
address landscape scale issues (particularly in and around the
Gippsland Lakes).
GLH2.6
Prioritise invasive plant and animal programs of surveillance,
monitoring and treatment in accordance with the East
Gippsland Invasive Plants and Animals Plan (EGCMA 2011).
Prioritise protection and recovery of threatened species and communities,
to include the following:
GLH3.1
 Manage priority threatened species and communities that
require direct intervention to support their recovery
GLH3.2
 Implement direct interventions where needed, as guided by
recovery plans and action statements
GLH3.3
 Improve integration of threatened species and community
recovery activities with other land management programs.
GLH3.4
Prioritise invasive plant and animal programs of surveillance,
monitoring and treatment in accordance with the East
Gippsland Invasive Plants and Animals Plan (EGCMA 2011).
The integrated objectives produced from the workshop were used as the basis for
developing the priority programs in each landscape area, described in Chapter 6.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
5.5
Development of the RCS
Consultation
Recognising its responsibility for development and renewal of the RCS on behalf of the
region, the EGCMA has implemented programs since the 2005 RCS to inform the regional
community about the RCS, and to record community views.
The EGCMA also ensures that community and stakeholder views are continuously recorded
as part of day-to-day operations.
Interviews were conducted with 306 landholders between October 2007 and June 2010 to
enable the EGCMA to gain a greater understanding of issues important to landholders, and
of landholders’ understanding of natural resource management.
Print media campaigns and books (Pearson 2008; 2009) have sought to inform the
community about the RCS.
Community input and guidance has been a feature in the development of regional plans and
strategies (East Gippsland Regional River Health Strategy (EGCMA 2006); Gippsland
Coastal and Marine Asset Report (GCB 2011); East Gippsland Invasive Plants and Animal
Plan (EGCMA 2011)). The data and information collected in these consultations have been
reconsidered in the process of preparing the RCS.
Consultations were also conducted through representation in workshops by stakeholders,
particularly delivery partners in land management. Other regional partner organisations were
also informed about the RCS and consulted. Consultation also took place with the
Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation.
Consultation during RCS development
When the draft RCS was released, community and stakeholder consultations ('open house')
were held at four locations in the region.
Consultation meetings were also held with representatives from other agencies, including
delivery partners in land management and other regional partner organisations.
The comments made at these meetings were recorded, and considered in the development
of the final version of the RCS.
Proposed consultation arrangements during implementation
On behalf of the region, the EGCMA intends continuing with programs to inform the regional
community about the RCS, including print media campaigns and publications. In addition,
current program of continuously recording community views as part of day-to-day operations
will be continued.
Regional plans and strategies to be developed during the life of this RCS will continue to
seek community input and guidance.
On-going consultation with delivery partners will be improved by the proposed partnership
implementation arrangements (see Chapter 7).
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Management priorities
6 Management priorities
6.1
Introduction
Program descriptions
This section presents the priorities for strategic management of natural assets in the region
over the next six years. Programs are described for each of the ‘landscape areas’, together
with a region-wide priority program.
The programs apply to all land regardless of management or ownership. Programs provide
integrated delivery of the work of a number of regional partners by coordinating planning,
investment, management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
Programs are ‘landscape’ in scale because:

of the spatial extent of many of the assets being managed

this is the scale required to have a significant effect on the long-term condition of the
assets being managed

of the efficiencies of integration and coordinated delivery which can be realised at
this scale.
Programs have been developed using the principles of the successful ‘Highlands Down’ and
‘Protecting the Best’ landscape scale programs which have been in place in the region over
recent years.
Each program includes objectives set for a 20-year timeframe, providing long-term direction
for management. Management actions are set for a six-year timeframe, the life of the RCS.
They are the most effective management activities that can be undertaken in this period,
which contribute to the achievement of the 20-year objectives.
Within all programs, priority objectives are derived from:

the priority risks identified

knowledge gained from existing landscape programs within the region

an understanding of relationships between cause and effect, where available, or
where not available, assumptions and judgements based on the collective
experience of the region’s experienced natural resource managers.
The regional programs provide a balance between objectives for maintaining assets in good
condition and those for reducing significant risks to the condition of assets.
The region-wide program is focused on risks that occur at a regional scale.
The priority management programs for the region, together with those for each of the four
areas, are described in sections 6.3 to 6.7.
6.2
Region-wide values, threats and issues
The approaches taken to region-wide threats are described below. A number of threats act
at, or greater than, the scale of the East Gippsland region. To effectively address these
threats, region-wide responses are required.
Climate change
In compliance with the Climate Change Act 2010, the 2013 East Gippsland RCS has regard
for climate change through the consideration of threats and effects resulting from climate
change throughout the priority setting process. At all workshops, participants were required
to consider climate change in every judgement and decision, particularly when considering
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Management priorities
values, threats and condition trajectories and determining risks, setting objectives and
developing management actions.
Participants were asked to consider climate change effects that are likely to become
apparent over the next 20 years, but base their judgements and decisions on the timescale
of the RCS (the next six years). The projected climate change effects for East Gippsland
were provided to all participants as a reference (<www.climatechange.vic.gov.au>).
Fire
The large alpine fires of 2002–03 and 2006–07 demonstrated the extent to which fire shapes
our region, and the landscape scale of its impact.
Fire management (including planned burning) is an essential part of the life of the East
Gippsland bush. Effective fire management promotes the resilience and health of natural
ecosystems by creating desirable growth stage distributions.
In East Gippsland, fire management is moving towards being carried out on a ‘whole of
landscape’ basis, regardless of ownership, guided by the Gippsland Regional Strategic Fire
Management Plan (GRSFMPC 2011) and the Code of Practice for Bushfire Management on
Public Land (DSE 2012).
While fire management will focus on the preservation of human life as the top priority (Fire
Services Commissioner 2011, Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission 2009), priority will also
be given to protection of essential and community infrastructure, industries, the economy
and to implementing appropriate fire regimes to protect natural resources and where
practical, to improve them.
Furthermore, where opportunities are available, fire management will aim to improve
biodiversity on freehold land in partnership with landholders. Two common examples of
inappropriate fire are high intensity large scale bushfires and long-term absence of fire in fire
dependent ecosystems.
Fire management (including planned burning) will aim to protect from inappropriate fire
regimes:

water supplies and their catchments including the Gippsland Lakes and other
waterways

significant environmental assets, including significant species and communities.
In East Gippsland, fire recovery activities need to be timely and effective. Floods which
follow large bushfires have high potential to affect communities and environments by
transporting large quantities of sediment and nutrients from burnt catchments.
Groundwater
Groundwater is important for sustaining communities, agriculture and groundwater
dependent ecosystems. The policy framework and objectives of the Gippsland Region
Sustainable Water Strategy (DSE 2011c) have been adopted.
Each of the integrated objectives has been reviewed for consistency with the strategy,
particularly in regard to the future protection of groundwater quality and quantity.
Carbon sequestration
In the future, carbon sequestration in the East Gippsland region could provide an opportunity
for offsetting carbon emissions from other sectors of the Australian economy. When carbon
sequestration policy frameworks become available, a plan will be developed for the region.
As far as possible, the objectives of the proposed carbon plan will be aligned with the
objectives of this RCS.
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Wild dogs
Control of wild dogs will be addressed through implementation of the Victorian wild dog
management program administered by the Department of Environment and Primary
Industries.
Social and economic considerations
Detailed consideration of social and economic values is beyond the scope of this RCS.
However, workshop participants, particularly in the Soil/land asset class, recognised that the
long-term productivity of soil and land assets are fundamental to sustaining the social and
economic values of communities.
At a strategic level, a Gippsland Integrated Land Use Plan is currently being developed, This
is one of eight regional growth plans being developed across Victoria. It will identify preferred
locations for particular land uses and development in both rural and urban areas, at a
regional scale.
Additionally, the East Gippsland Shire, which covers 84% of the EGCMA region, is currently
updating its Municipal Strategic Statement (East Gippsland Shire Council 2006). The RCS
will not duplicate the work of these projects, but rather will integrate with them.
6.3
Region-wide program
Overview
The East Gippsland regional program is an integrated program to address strategic priority
issues which are region wide. It applies to all land, regardless of management or ownership.
In developing the priority regional management programs, the approaches to region-wide
issues (described in Section 6.2), have been taken into account.
Regional priority program
Component 1: Invasive plants and animals
A regional invasive plants and animals plan (EGCMA 2011), was prepared in 2010. The plan
uses the ‘biosecurity approach’ (DPI 2009b), as its rationale. Based on data and information
reviewed and risk assessments undertaken during RCS development, implementation of the
invasive plants and animals plan is a high priority for the East Gippsland region.
Of particular importance is the establishment of an integrated multi-agency approach to
detecting and eradicating new and emerging invasive plants and animals before they
become established. Such an approach is essential to achieving the priority objectives in the
preceding four programs which were focused on maintaining:

the productive capacity of agricultural land

the high quality of large areas of native vegetation.
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Table 6.3.1 Objectives and management actions relating to invasive plants and animals
Objectives (20-year)
RW1
Establish an effective
biosecurity approach to
invasive plants and
animals management in
East Gippsland
Management actions (Six-year)
RW1.1
Implement the East Gippsland Invasive Plants and
Animals Plan (EGCMA 2011).
RW1.2
Investigate and quantify the effect of deer on high
value natural assets and plan appropriate control
measures.
RW1.3
Develop urgent response protocols (or publicise
where existing) for new and emerging invasive plants
and animals.
RW1.4
Investigate and prioritise actions to manage the
changing distribution of new and emerging plants and
animals as a result of climate change.
RW1.5
Establish a process to facilitate interagency
cooperation for new invasive plants and animals
Component 2: Soils
Based on data and information reviewed and risk assessments undertaken during RCS
development, a regional approach to managing the Soil/land asset is required. While
different objectives apply to soils on private and public land, the regional strategic approach
is the maintenance of soil health.
Table 6.3.2 Objectives and management actions relating to soils
Objectives (20-year)
Management actions (Six-year)
Soils on private land
RW2
Maintenance of the
productive values and
stability of agricultural
land and soils
RW2.1
Encourage the adoption of best management
practices.
RW2.2
Assess agricultural land for its viability and ability to
maintain its future productivity under changing
climatic conditions.
Component 3: Pathogens
Based on discussions undertaken during RCS development, a regional approach to
managing the spread of pathogens in terrestrial environments is required.
Table 6.2.3 Objectives and management actions relating to pathogens
Objectives (20-year)
RW3
Limit the risk of pathogen
movement (e.g. Myrtle
Rust and Phytophthora
root rot) in terrestrial
environments
Management actions (Six-year)
RW3.1
Share knowledge and increase awareness among
agencies on location of priority pathogens.
RW3.2
Educate field staff on pathogen identification.
RW3.3
Encourage ongoing monitoring by land managers.
RW3.4
Develop protocols when occurrence detected.
RW3.5
Ensure that compliance with appropriate
environmental code of practice for the management of
phytophthora is audited
Component 4: Fire
Based on the regional approach to fire outlined in Section 6.2, and data and information
reviewed and risk assessments undertaken during RCS development, some region-wide
objectives for fire management were identified.
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Table 6.3.4 Objectives and management actions relating to fire management
Objectives (20-year)
RW4
Implement fire
management regimes
that promote the
resilience and health of
natural ecosystems
Management actions (Six-year)
RW4.1
Implement the Gippsland Regional Strategic Fire
Management Plan (GRSFMPC, 2011) and the Code
of Practice for Bushfire Management on Public Land
(DSE 2006).
RW4.2
Support the delivery of a fire management program
which aims to minimise the impact of major bushfires
on human life, communities and infrastructure while
maximising biodiversity outcomes.
Program implementation
Implementation arrangements for the RCS are described in Chapter 7.
Principal partners in delivery of the region-wide program will be Parks Victoria, DEPI, CFA,,
DTPLI, EGSC, Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, other traditional
owners,Landcare, and delegated Crown land managers (e.g. Committees of Management
(CoMs) .
The coordinating agency will be the EGCMA.
6.4
Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland program
Overview
The Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland program aims to balance the maintenance of land
productivity and sustainable growth with improving natural values. It applies to all land,
regardless of management or ownership.
The Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland landscape area includes:

the eastern section of the Gippsland Lakes system including Lake Victoria and Lake
King

the adjoining terrestrial environments extending west to the catchment of Toms
Creek, east to Lakes Entrance, and bounded to the north by the foothills
(Figure 6.4.1).
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Management priorities
Figure 6.4.1 Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland area showing priority areas
The Gippsland Lakes and its fringing wetlands are internationally recognised through listing
under the Ramsar Convention, and are of high social and environmental value to the region.
The lower reaches of major tributary river systems, including the heritage listed Mitchell
River, flow through the program area and are major contributors of freshwater inflows to the
Gippsland Lakes.
The hinterland supports a diverse range of important flora and fauna, including many rare
and threatened species. Habitat for these species is often limited to remnant areas of native
vegetation, including the threatened Gippsland Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Associated
Native Grassland ecological community, which is listed under the Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
The Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland landscape area is the most modified part of the East
Gippsland region, and is the centre of development and tourism. It includes the urban
centres of Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance and Paynesville. The anticipated growth in population
has the potential to affect significant natural values, including threatened species and
communities, water regimes and water quality. Increased development also has the potential
to adversely affect the productive capacity of agricultural land in the area.
The Western section of the Gippsland Lakes system, including Lake Wellington and the
section of the 90 Mile beach west of Lakes Entrance, is in the West Gippsland CMA region.
Condition
The assets of the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland landscape area are generally in moderate
to good condition. (EGCMA 2009, GLCT 2011, EGCMA 2010a, DSE 2004). Based on data
and information reviewed and risk assessments undertaken during RCS development, it is
not clear if current management is sufficient to arrest decline in native vegetation condition,
but significant decline in condition is likely without continued active management.
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Values
The Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland landscape area has significant environmental values
within the Coastal, Terrestrial environments, Estuaries, Rivers, Wetlands, and Soil/land
asset classes.
The majority of the agricultural land in the East Gippsland region lies within the area,
including the highly productive floodplains of the Mitchell and Tambo rivers, covering 54% of
the landscape area.
The Gippsland Lakes and their fringing wetlands are the receiving environments for all water
from the hinterland. There is, therefore, a strong relationship between the health of the
Gippsland Lakes and wetlands and the environmental condition of the hinterland.
Features of significance and the criteria by which they have been selected (see Section 5.4),
are summarised below.
Table 6.4.1 Features of significance in the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland
Significance
Type of feature
Description and location
National parks and
reserves
Approximately 7.5% of the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland area
is part of a national park or reserve (~15,640 ha).
Trust for Nature covenants
Approximately 0.8% of the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland area
is covenanted between landholders and Trust for Nature
(~1,750 ha).
Ramsar listed wetland
Gippsland Lakes (Estuary) and fringing wetlands including Lake
Bunga
Directory of Important
Wetlands
Lake King wetlands, Lake Victoria wetlands, Lindenow Wildlife
Sanctuary, Macleod Morass, Tambo River, Lake Bunga
Victorian Heritage River
Mitchell River
Special protection zones
(SPZs) and special
management zones
(SMZs)
Approximately 6% of the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland area is
part of either an SPZ or SMZ, based on environmental values
(~12,730 ha).
EPBC+ listed ecological
communities
EPBC+ listed critically endangered ecological communities:
 Gippsland Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Associated Native
Grassland ecological community
 Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets.
Rare or threatened
species
Recorded in the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland area:
Flora:
 10 endangered and 19 vulnerable species on the DEPI
Victorian advisory list
 4 endangered and 6 vulnerable EPBC+ listed species
 17 FFG* listed species.
Fauna:
 5 critically endangered, 22 endangered and 37 vulnerable
species on the DEPI Victorian advisory list
 4 endangered and 16 vulnerable EPBC+ listed species
 56 FFG* listed species.
Significant ecological
vegetation classes
Approximately 20% (~40,950 ha) of the Gippsland Lakes and
Hinterland area is covered by EVCs with a bioregional
conservation status of rare, endangered, depleted or vulnerable,
of which 0.4% is rare (~890 ha), 6.1% is endangered
(~12,670 ha), 5.8% is depleted (~12,020 ha), and 7.4% is
vulnerable (~15,380 ha) based on modelled state data.
River and stream condition
Of the 14 river reaches in the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland
area, 4 reaches (29%) are in good condition, and none are in
excellent condition.
criteria
Formally
recognised
significance
Rare or
threatened
species,
communities
and
ecosystems
Condition
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Significance
Management priorities
Type of feature
Description and location
Wetland condition
Of the 222 wetlands in the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland area,
the condition of only 4 have been measured, and of these 1
(25%) is in good condition, and none are in excellent condition.
Native vegetation
condition
Approximately 35% of the area of native vegetation in the
Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland area is in ‘good’ condition
(~72,460 ha) based on modelled habitat hectares scores >60,
from state datasets.
Productive
land
Productive agricultural
land
Approximately 54% of the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland area
is productive agricultural land (~108,510 ha).
Other
Geological significance
Over 12,400 ha identified as areas of geological significance,
primarily surrounding the Gippsland Lakes (Rosengren 2011)
Internationally recognised feature of geomorphic significance
(Mitchell River Silt Jetties).
criteria
+
EPBC – Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth); * FFG – Flora and Fauna
Guarantee Act 1988
Threats
Within the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland landscape area, risk assessments undertaken
during RCS development showed that:


the principal threats to important environmental and land production values are:

invasive plants and animals (particularly to threatened species and ecological
communities)

increasing salinity in estuaries and wetlands

degraded water quality (nutrients and sediment)

the effects of grazing stock on riparian and wetland vegetation

more variable freshwater inflows and their effect on vegetation communities
(wetlands) and significant fauna

soil compaction, salinity and erosion

acid sulfate soils

disturbance from recreational activities

loss of native vegetation remnants

development and population growth

coastal erosion.
priority emerging threats with the potential to significantly affect environmental and
land production values are:

the effects of climate change on sea level rise

reductions in freshwater flows

inappropriate fire regimes

the spread and increasing populations of invasive animals (particularly deer)

continued change in salinity levels in the Gippsland Lakes and its effect on
ecological communities, particularly in wetland and estuarine environments.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Management priorities
Objectives
The objectives and management actions for the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland landscape
area are summarised below. Objectives which apply to the entire landscape area are
described first (‘Landscape scale’), followed by objectives which apply to specific areas (see
Figure 6.4.1).
Table 6.4.2 Objectives and management actions for the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland
(not in priority order)
Objectives (20-year)
Management actions (six-year)
Apply across the whole landscape area
GLH1
GLH2
GLH3
Targeted improvement of
the productive values and
stability of agricultural
land and soils
Targeted improvement of
the condition, security,
diversity and connectivity
of native vegetation
Targeted improvement of
the status of threatened
species and communities
Encourage best practice, maintaining appropriate ground cover,
minimising the threat from erosion in accordance with the East Gippsland
Soil Erosion Management Plan (DPI 2009a), by doing the following:
GLH1.1

undertake soil testing and encourage appropriate response
where remedial action or change of practice is advisable.
GLH1.2

encourage appropriate grazing management and species
selection and management.
GLH1.3

establish perennial vegetation in vulnerable areas on the
Redgum Plains.
GLH1.4

remediate gully and tunnel erosion at high priority sites
identified in the East Gippsland Soil Erosion Management
Plan (DPI 2009a)
Prepare a 10 year plan that establishes priorities for investment into the
establishment and maintenance of areas of native vegetation in the
Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland, particularly on the Redgum Plains, with
focus on the following:
GLH2.1

existing native vegetation patches on the Redgum Plains with
potential for connection
GLH2.2

native vegetation where land meets water in riparian, wetland
and estuarine environments (e.g. stream corridors, fringing
wetlands of the Gippsland Lakes)
GLH2.3

areas susceptible to wind erosion.
GLH2.4
Develop and improve partnerships to better integrate the
planning and delivery of works and programs among all
partners within the region and across regional boundaries and
to foster shared ownership and responsibility, and where
opportunities are available, on freehold land in partnership with
landholders.
GLH2.5
Investigate opportunities for a multi-region approach to further
address landscape scale issues (particularly in and around the
Gippsland Lakes)
GLH2.6
Prioritise invasive plant and animal programs of surveillance,
monitoring and treatment in accordance with the East
Gippsland Invasive Plants and Animals Plan (EGCMA 2011).
Prioritise protection and recovery of threatened species and communities,
to include the following:
GLH3.1

manage priority threatened species and communities that
require direct intervention to support their recovery
GLH3.2

implement direct interventions where needed, as guided by
recovery plans and action statements
GLH3.3

improve integration of threatened species and community
recovery activities with other land management programs.
GLH3.4
Prioritise invasive plant and animal programs of surveillance,
monitoring and treatment in accordance with the East
Gippsland Invasive Plants and Animals Plan (EGCMA 2011).
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Management priorities
Objectives (20-year)
Management actions (six-year)
GLH4
GLH4.1
Prepare and implement the Gippsland Lakes Environmental
Strategy (GLMAC, in prep) and the Regional Waterway
Management Strategy (EGCMA, in prep)
GLH4.2
Implement the Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy
(DSE 2011c) and the East Gippsland Soil Erosion Management
Plan (DPI 2009a).
GLH4.3
Complete the current study (Lindenow valley water security
project) on the Mitchell River.
Targeted improvement of
the water quality and
freshwater flow regime of
the Gippsland Lakes
Apply to only part of the landscape area
Improved knowledge of
location, condition and
risks to wetlands on the
Redgum Plains, Lower
Mitchell and Lower
Tambo rivers
GLH5.1
Identify location and conduct condition assessment of wetlands.
GLH5.2
Plan future measures to improve condition and address risks.
GLH6
Targeted provision of
appropriate freshwater
and salinity regimes for
selected fringing
wetlands of the
Gippsland Lakes
GLH6.1
Identify appropriate wetlands for action, which may include
those with lower connectivity to the lakes and those close to
alternative freshwater sources and implement appropriate
regime, where feasible.
GLH7
Increased sustainability
of land use, with
development in
appropriate nodes along
the Gippsland Lakes
coastline
GLH7.1
Prepare and implement the Gippsland Lakes Environmental
Strategy (GLMAC, in prep), and support the preparation and
implementation of the Gippsland Integrated Land Use Plan
(DTPLI, in prep)
GLH7.2
Improve integration between NRM agencies and local
government and planning within and among regions.
GLH7.3
Improve consideration and knowledge of natural values, high
value agricultural productive land and potential acid sulfate soils
in local government planning, to ensure that development
occurs in appropriate nodes.
GLH7.4
Ensure that NRM agency involvement in future planning (review
of Municipal Strategic Statement (East Gippsland Shire Council
2006).
Plan for adaptation of
Gippsland Lakes
communities to changing
conditions along the
coastline
GLH8.1
Complete adaptation planning for Gippsland Lakes
communities led by the East Gippsland Shire.
GLH8.2
Prepare and implement the Gippsland Lakes Environmental
Strategy (GLMAC, in prep).
Targeted improvement in
the condition of the
Nicholson and Mitchell
rivers
GLH9.1
Develop and improve partnerships to foster shared ownership
and responsibility for sites and to better integrate the planning
and delivery of works and programs.
GLH9.2
Complete riparian connection along the river from source to
lakes through partnerships with landholders, stock exclusion,
revegetation and invasive plant and animal programs of
surveillance, monitoring and treatment.
GLH5
GLH8
GLH9
Program implementation
Principal partners in the delivery of the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland program will be the
Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Advisory Committee, DEPI, Parks Victoria, DTPLI, Gippsland
Coastal Board, EGSC, East Gippsland Water, Gippsland Ports, Gunaikurnai Land and
Waters Aboriginal Corporation, Gippsland Plains Conservation Management Network, Trust
for Nature, Southern Farming Systems, Greening Australia, Landcare, delegated Crown land
managers (e.g. CoMs), and other community groups and landholders.
The coordinating agency will be the EGCMA.
Program delivery will be coordinated with the WGCMA.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Management priorities
Implementation arrangements for the RCS are described in Chapter 7.
6.5
Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment program
Overview
The Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment program is an integrated landscape scale program
for managing the significant natural assets of the upper catchments of the Gippsland Lakes
which are within the East Gippsland region. It applies to all land, regardless of management
or ownership. The program is focused on maintaining the condition of this significant
landscape, with its large and continuous native vegetation communities and ecosystems, by
taking a ‘whole of landscape’ approach to addressing threats.
The Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment landscape area includes the upper catchments of
the Mitchell, Nicholson and Tambo rivers. It is bounded to the north by the Great Dividing
Range, and to the east and west by catchment boundaries. The southern boundary is the
foothills to the north of the Gippsland plains (Figure 6.5.1) The area is strongly connected to,
and supports the values of, the Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland landscape area downstream
(described in Section 6.4). Water from these catchments provides a range of beneficial uses
to downstream communities and environments.
Figure 6.5.1 Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment landscape area showing priority areas
The majority of land within the area is forested public land, including the Alpine National Park
and the heritage listed Mitchell and Wonnangatta rivers. This environment is home to many
rare and threatened species.
Areas of land used for agriculture, largely devoid of trees, sit within the large areas of native
forest and woodland. They are located primarily in river valleys and are mostly used for
agricultural production. They include the Dargo and Wonnangatta valleys in the Mitchell
catchment, and Ensay and Swifts Creek in the Tambo Valley.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Management priorities
Condition
The assets of the Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment area are generally in good
environmental condition (EGCMA 2009, GINRF 2011).
Based on data and information reviewed and risk assessments undertaken during RCS
development, the current condition is being maintained in the majority of the program area.
Deteriorating condition under current management is being observed in some areas. In the
absence of continued active management, condition is likely to decline in particular areas
and ecosystems, given the extensive scale of disturbance (floods and bushfire) in recent
years.
Values
The Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment landscape area contains significant environmental
values within the Terrestrial environments, Rivers, Wetlands, and Soil/land asset classes.
About 16% of the area is productive agricultural land.
The area has high environmental values because of its size, and the limited extent of
modification or disturbance from human activities.
Features of significance and the criteria by which they have been selected (see Section 5.4),
are summarised below.
Table 6.5.1 Features of significance in the Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment
Significance
Type of feature
Description and location
National parks and reserves
Approximately 26.6% of the Gippsland Lakes Upper
Catchment area is part of a national park or reserve
(~185,590 ha).
Trust for Nature covenants
Approximately 0.3% of the Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment
area is covenanted between landholders and Trust for Nature
(~2,210 ha).
Directory of Important
Wetlands
Nunniong Plateau peatlands, Wongungarra River,
Wonnangatta River
Victorian Heritage River
Mitchell and Wonnangatta rivers
Special protection zones
and special management
zones
19% of the Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment area is part of
either an SPZ or SMZ, based on environmental values
(134,925 ha).
EPBC+ listed ecological
communities
EPBC+ listed critically endangered ecological communities:
 White Box –Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy
Woodland and Derived Native Grassland.
EPBC+ listed endangered ecological communities:
 Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens
 Silurian Limestone Pomaderris Shrubland of the South East
Corner and Australian Alps Bioregion.
Rare or threatened species
Recorded in the Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment area:
Flora:
 1 presumed extinct, 10 endangered and 55 vulnerable
species on the DEPi Victorian advisory list
 1 endangered and 16 vulnerable EPBC+ listed species
 33 FFG* listed species.
Fauna:
 9 critically endangered, 8 endangered and 21 vulnerable
species on the DEPI Victorian advisory list
 7 endangered and 7 vulnerable EPBC+ listed species
 37 FFG* listed species.
criteria
Formally
recognised
significance
Rare or
threatened
species,
communities
and
ecosystems
39
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Significance
Management priorities
Type of feature
Description and location
Significant EVCs
Approximately 7.9% (~55,350 ha) of the Gippsland Lakes
Upper Catchment area is covered by EVCs with a bioregional
conservation status of rare, endangered, depleted or
vulnerable, of which 1.6% is rare (~11,020 ha), 0.2% is
endangered (~1,150 ha), 4.2% is depleted (~28,960 ha), and
2.0% is vulnerable (~14,210 ha) based on modelled state
data.
River and stream condition
Of the 35 river reaches in the Gippsland Lakes Upper
Catchment area, 15 reaches (43%) are in good condition, and
8 reaches (23%) are in excellent condition.
Wetland condition
Of the 578 wetlands in the Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment
area, the condition of only 4 have been measured, and of
these 1 (25%) is in good condition, and 3 (75%) are in
excellent condition.
Native vegetation condition
Approximately 89% of the area of native vegetation in the
Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment area is in ‘good’ condition
(622,450 ha) based on modelled habitat hectares scores >60,
from state datasets.
Productive agricultural land
16% of the Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment area is
productive agricultural land (108,510 ha).
criteria
Condition
Productive
land
* NFSR – Natural features and scenic reserve; +EPBC – Environmental Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth); *FFG – Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
Threats
Within the Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment area, risk assessments undertaken during
RCS development showed that:


the principal threats affecting important land production and natural values are:

soil erosion

inappropriate fire regimes

cleared riparian zones

invasive plants and animals – particularly predators (dogs, foxes) and hard
hooved grazers (horses, deer, cattle, pigs and goats)

soil acidity and compaction.
the priority emerging threat with the potential to significantly affect environmental and
land production values within the Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment landscape area
is the emergence of new pest plant and animal species.
Objectives
The priority management objectives, and their associated management actions developed
for the Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment landscape area are summarised below.
Objectives which apply to the entire Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment area are described
first (‘Landscape scale’), followed by objectives which apply to specific areas (Figure 6.5.1).
40
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Management priorities
Table 6.5.2 Objectives and management actions for the Gippsland Lakes Upper
Catchment (not in priority order)
Objectives (20-year)
Management actions (six-year)
Apply across the whole landscape area
GLUC1
GLUC2
GLUC3
Maintenance and
targeted improvement of
the condition, security,
diversity and integrity of
natural ecosystems and
the status of threatened
species and communities
Maintenance of soil
condition and stability on
public land
Targeted protection of
the water quality and
freshwater flow regime of
the Gippsland Lakes
Prioritise protection and recovery of threatened species and communities,
to include the following:
GLUC1.1

manage priority threatened species and communities that
require direct intervention to support their recovery.
GLUC1.2

implement direct interventions where needed, as guided by
recovery plans and action statements.
GLUC1.3

improve integration of threatened species and community
recovery activities with other land management programs.
GLUC1.4
Prioritise invasive plant and animal programs of surveillance,
monitoring and treatment in accordance with the East
Gippsland Invasive Plants and Animals Plan (EGCMA 2011).
GLUC1.5
Develop and improve partnerships to better integrate the
planning and delivery of works and programs within the region
and across regional boundaries.
GLUC1.6
Investigate opportunities for a multi-region approach to further
address landscape scale issues (particularly in alpine
environments and the Gippsland Lakes).
Reduce erosion from soils on public land in particular after intense
bushfires followed by high runoff events, (reducing offsite effects, while
ensuring public safety) by doing the following:
GLUC2.1

prioritise appropriate road maintenance regimes for the
overall road and tracks network on public land
GLUC2.2

maintain road and tracks network condition to support fire
management
GLUC2.3

ensure that compliance with fire codes of practice is audited
(bushfire and planned burning)
GLUC2.4

ensure that compliance with codes of practice for timber
haulage and harvesting is audited
GLUC2.5

use ‘rapid risk assessment methods’ for natural disaster
recovery.
GLUC3.1
Implement the Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy
(DSE 2011c) and the East Gippsland Soil Erosion
Management Plan (DPI 2009a).
GLUC3.2
Prepare and implement the Gippsland Lakes Environmental
Strategy (GLMAC, in prep), and the Regional Waterway
Management Strategy ( EGCMA, in prep).
Apply to only part of the landscape area
GLUC4 Targeted improvement of Encourage best practice, maintaining appropriate ground cover,
minimising the threat from erosion in accordance with the EGSEMP by
the productive values
and stability of the Dargo doing the following:
Mountain Basin and
GLUC4.1  undertake soil testing and encourage appropriate response
Tambo Valley agricultural
where remedial action or change of practice is advisable
land and soils
GLUC4.2  encourage appropriate grazing management and species
selection and management
GLUC5
Targeted improvement of
the condition, security,
diversity and connectivity
of native vegetation
GLUC4.3

GLUC5.1
Develop and improve partnerships to foster shared ownership
and responsibility for sites with landholders and to better
integrate the planning and delivery of works and programs
among all partners.
remediate gully and tunnel erosion at high priority sites
identified in the EGSEMP.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Objectives (20-year)
within the Dargo
Mountain Basin and
Tambo Valley, and along
the Wonnangatta River
GLUC6
GLUC7
Targeted improvement of
the condition of Alpine
peatlands
Targeted improvement of
the condition of the
waterways in the upper
catchment to the
Gippsland Lakes,
particularly along the
Mitchell and Nicholson
rivers
Management priorities
Management actions (six-year)
GLUC5.2
Improve condition of the Upper Mitchell, Upper Tambo, Dargo
and Wonnangatta rivers through partnerships with
landholders, stock exclusion, revegetation and invasive plant
and animal programs of surveillance, monitoring and
treatment.
GLUC5.3
Prioritise and improve the condition and extent of rare and
threatened vegetation communities in the Tambo Valley.
GLUC6.1
Manage and where possible, reduce the effects of disturbance
caused by hard hooved grazers, invasive flora and visitors on
Alpine peatlands.
GLUC6.2
Apply appropriate fire management regimes and practices
around Alpine peatlands.
GLUC6.3
Implement actions identified in the Victorian Peatlands Spatial
Action Plan (Parks Victoria, in prep).
GLUC7.1
Develop and improve partnerships to foster shared ownership
and responsibility for sites and to better integrate the planning
and delivery of works and programs.
GLUC7.2
Complete riparian connection along the rivers from source to
lakes through partnerships with landholders, stock exclusion,
revegetation and invasive plant and animal programs of
surveillance, monitoring and treatment.
GLUC7.3
Support the removal of the Nicholson River dam.
Program implementation
Principal partners in the delivery of the Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment program will be
the WGCMA, North East CMA, Gippsland Lakes Management Advisory Committee, Parks
Victoria, DEPI, WSC, EGSC, Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation,
Conservation Management Network, Trust for Nature, Landcare, delegated Crown land
managers (e.g. CoMs), and other community groups and landholders.
The coordinating agency will be the EGCMA.
Program delivery will be coordinated with the WGCMA and North East CMA.
Implementation arrangements for the RCS are described in Chapter 7.
6.6
East Coast program
Overview
The East Coast program is an integrated landscape scale program for managing the
significant natural assets of the area. It applies to all land, regardless of management or
ownership. The program is focused on maintaining natural assets in the landscape in good
condition, while facilitating community and recreational use.
The East Coast landscape area includes East Gippsland’s open coastline, its adjoining
coastal environments, and marine habitats. The area defined includes Lake Tyers at its
western margin, and extends east to the New South Wales border (Figure 6.6.1).
42
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Management priorities
Figure 6.6.1 East Coast landscape area showing priority areas
The inland extent of the program area is defined by landscapes that are ‘functionally related’
to the coast. The program area includes significant and diverse coastal, estuarine, marine
and related freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.
The majority of land within the East Coast landscape area is within protected areas or
conservation reserves, including the internationally listed UNESCO Croajingolong Biosphere
Reserve and Lake Tyers which is listed under the Ramsar Convention. Other areas include
Ewings Marsh Wildlife Reserve, the Snowy River estuary, and Cape Conran Coastal Park.
The eastern margin of the East Coast landscape area is within the Croajingolong National
Park, and adjoins the Nadgee Nature Reserve in southern New South Wales. The adjoining
marine environment includes Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary, and Point Hicks and Cape
Howe marine parks.
The major areas of settlement are Mallacoota township, Orbost and the Snowy River
floodplain and Marlo area. Smaller communities and settlements exist at Bemm River and
Tamboon Inlet.
Condition
The assets of the East Coast landscape area are generally in good condition. (EGCMA
2009, EGCMA 2010b, GCB 2011, Edmunds et al 2010). Most catchments within and
upstream of the East Coast area have low levels of modification and disturbance, resulting in
natural flow regimes, healthy riparian ecosystems, and generally good water quality.
Based on data and information reviewed and risk assessments undertaken during RCS
development, the condition of the area is being maintained under current management, but it
is likely to decline without continued active management.
43
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Management priorities
Values
The East Coast landscape area contains significant environmental values within the Coastal,
Marine, Terrestrial environments, Estuaries, Rivers and Wetlands asset classes. About 18%
of the area is productive agricultural land.
The environmental values within this area are high because of the extent of the area and the
limited disturbance from human activities. The values reflect the importance of the
interaction and co-dependence of ecosystems and is one of the reasons that much of the
East Coast area is contained within national parks and reserves systems.
Features of significance and the criteria by which they have been selected (see Section 5.4),
are summarised below.
Table 6.6.1 Features of significance in the East Coast
Significance
Type of feature
Description and location
National parks and reserves
Approximately 62.2% of the East Coast area is part of a
national park or reserve (~41,160 ha).
Trust for Nature covenants
Approximately 0.9% of the East Coast area is covenanted
between landholders and Trust for Nature (~610 ha).
Ramsar listed wetland
Lake Tyers (as part of the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar site)
Directory of Important
Wetlands
Lake Tyers, Lower Snowy River Wetlands System, Ewings
Marsh (Morass), Mallacoota Inlet Wetlands, Sydenham Inlet
Wetlands, Tamboon Inlet Wetlands, Genoa River, Benedore
River, Thurra River
Victorian Heritage River
Bemm River, Snowy River
Special protection zones and
special management zones
2% of the East Coast area is part of either an SPZ or SMZ,
based on environmental values (1,201 ha).
EPBC+ listed ecological
communities
EPBC listed critically endangered ecological communities:
 Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets.
Rare or threatened species
Recorded in the East Coast area:
Flora:
 1 presumed extinct, 9 endangered and 38 vulnerable species
on the DEPI Victorian advisory list
+
 1 endangered and 4 vulnerable EPBC listed species
 17 FFG* listed species.
Fauna:
 6 critically endangered, 18 endangered, and 42 vulnerable
species on the DEPI Victorian advisory list
 1 critically endangered, 8 endangered and 13 vulnerable
EPBC+ listed species
 61 FFG* listed species.
Significant EVCs
Approximately 14.1% (~9,300 ha) of the East Coast area is
covered by EVCs with a bioregional conservation status of rare,
depleted or vulnerable, of which 1.2% is rare (~820 ha), 4.6% is
depleted (~3,040 ha), and 8.2% is vulnerable (~5,430 ha)
based on modelled state data.
River and stream condition
Of the 29 river reaches in the East Coast area, 10 reaches
(35%) are in good condition, and 5 reaches (17%) are in
excellent condition.
Wetland condition
Of the 140 wetlands in the East Coast area, the condition of
only 4 have been measured, and of these none are in good
condition, and 3 (75%) are in excellent condition.
criteria
Formally
recognised
significance
Rare or
threatened
species,
communities
and
ecosystems
Condition
+
44
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Significance
Management priorities
Type of feature
Description and location
Native vegetation condition
Approximately 70% of the area of native vegetation in the East
Coast area is in ‘good’ condition (46,110 ha) based on
modelled habitat hectares scores >60, from state datasets.
Productive
land
Productive agricultural land
18% of the East Coast area is productive agricultural land
(12,200 ha).
Other
DEPI marine assets
Cape Conran, Beware Reef, Point Hicks Reefs, Skerries
Offshore Islands, Secret Beach Intertidal Reed, Bastion Point
Intertidal Reef, Gabo Island, Cape Howe and Iron Prince Reef,
Star Bank (granite outcrops), Croajingolong Reefs, Bemm River
Reef Upwelling Communities, Mallacoota Inlet, Sydenham Inlet,
Red Bluff – Shelley Beach.
Geological significance
Over 35,400 ha identified as areas of geological significance,
(Rosengren 2011).
criteria
+
EPBC – Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth); * FFG – Flora and Fauna
Guarantee Act 1988
Threats
Within the East Coast landscape area, risk assessments undertaken during RCS
development showed that:


the principal current threats affecting important environmental and land production
values are

invasive plants and animals

the elevated sediment levels in the Cann and Genoa rivers

the altered flow regime and increasing salinity in the Lower Snowy River

inappropriate fire regimes

disturbance from recreational activities

coastal erosion

the introduction of marine pests.
priority emerging threats with the potential to significantly affect environmental and
land production values within the East Coast area are:

the introduction and establishment of new pest plant and animal species (either
from interstate or with changing climatic conditions)

the effects of climate change on sea level rise

threats from coastal development and uncontrolled access to the coast

threats from acid sulfate soils

threats of accelerated coastal erosion on susceptible ecological communities.
Objectives
The priority management objectives, and their associated management actions developed
for the East Coast landscape area are summarised below.
Objectives which apply to the entire East Coast landscape area are described first
(‘Landscape scale’) followed by objectives which apply to specific areas (Figure 6.6.1).
45
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Table 6.6.2
Management priorities
Objectives and management actions for the East Coast (not in priority order)
Objectives (20-year)
Management actions (six-year)
Apply across the whole landscape area
EC1
Maintenance and
targeted improvement of
the condition, security,
diversity and integrity of
natural ecosystems and
the status of threatened
species and communities
Prioritise protection and recovery of threatened species and communities,
to include the following:
EC1.1

manage priority threatened species and communities that
require direct intervention to support their recovery
EC1.2

implement direct interventions where needed, as guided by
recovery plans and action statements
EC1.3

improve integration of threatened species and community
recovery activities with other land management programs
EC1.4

support recovery of fauna threatened by fox predation by
reducing fox abundance at a landscape scale.
EC1.5
Prioritise invasive plant and animal programs of surveillance,
monitoring and treatment in accordance with the East
Gippsland Invasive Plants and Animals Plan (EGCMA 2011).
EC1.6
Develop and improve partnerships to better integrate the
planning and delivery of works and programs within the region
and across regional boundaries.
EC1.7
Investigate opportunities for a multi-region approach to further
address landscape scale issues.
EC1.8
Develop and implement optimal fire management regime for
coastal ecological communities.
Manage the balance between recreational activity and maintaining natural
values to include the following:
EC2
Improved understanding
of the effects of coastal
processes and
acceleration of these
changes on susceptible
species and communities
with high natural values
EC1.9

prioritise location of ‘access’ nodes to the coast, considering
where there is potential for adverse effects on high natural
values
EC1.10

identify and implement actions derived from prioritisation
which may include updating infrastructure or denying vehicle
access.
EC2.1
Identify where acceleration of change in the coast and
estuaries is likely to occur.
EC2.2
Identify susceptible species and communities of high natural
value.
EC2.3
Establish a monitoring program for identified species and
communities.
EC2.4
Develop a plan to improve ability of species and communities
to adapt to likely changes.
Apply to only part of the landscape area
EC3
EC4
Improved knowledge of
risks, and maintenance of
the condition of wetlands
between Lake Tyers and
the Snowy River, near
the Thurra and Wingan
rivers, and east of
Mallacoota
Targeted improvement of
the productive values and
stability of Lower Snowy
agricultural land and soils
EC3.1
Conduct condition assessment.
EC3.2
Conduct invasive plants and animals monitoring, assessment
and treatment.
EC4.1
Assist landholders to adapt to increasing salinity in the lower
parts of the floodplain.
Encourage best practice, maintaining appropriate ground cover,
minimising the threat from erosion in accordance with the East Gippsland
Soil Erosion Management Plan (DPI 2009a), by doing the following:
EC4.2

undertake soil testing and encourage appropriate response
where remedial action or change of practice is advisable
46
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Objectives (20-year)
EC5
EC6
EC7
EC8
Improved awareness of
the implications of
disturbing potential acid
sulfate soils by the
landholders of the lower
Snowy agricultural land
Targeted improvement of
the condition, security,
diversity and connectivity
of wetland and riparian
(estuarine and riverine)
native vegetation in the
Lower Snowy and
Brodribb rivers and
Cabbage Tree Creek
Increased sustainability
of land use, with
development in
appropriate nodes
adjacent to townships
along the East Coast
Improved knowledge of
risks, and maintenance of
the condition of the
Croajingolong and Cape
Howe marine assets
Management priorities
Management actions (six-year)
EC4.3

encourage appropriate grazing management and species
selection and management
EC5.1

survey and map potential acid sulfate soils in the Lower
Snowy agricultural land to enable provision of advice
EC5.2

provide for education of landholders and community on
implications of disturbance of potential acid sulfate soils .
EC6.1
Develop and improve partnerships to foster shared ownership
and responsibility for sites with landholders and to better
integrate the planning and delivery of works and programs
among all partners.
EC6.2
Improve condition of the Lower Snowy and Brodribb rivers and
of Cabbage Tree Creek through partnerships with landholders,
stock exclusion, revegetation and invasive plant and animal
programs of surveillance, monitoring and treatment.
EC6.3
Prioritise protection and recovery of threatened species and
communities.
EC7.1
Support the preparation and implementation of the Gippsland
Integrated Land Use Plan (DTPLI, in prep.).
EC7.2
Improve integration between NRM agencies and local
government and planning within and among regions.
EC7.3
Improve consideration and knowledge of natural values, high
value agricultural productive land and potential acid sulfate
soils in local government planning, to ensure that development
occurs in appropriate nodes.
EC7.4
Ensure that NRM agency involvement in future planning
(review of Municipal Strategic Statement (East Gippsland Shire
Council 2006).
EC8.1
Identify species and habitats to use as indicator species and
benchmarks for condition.
EC8.2
Monitor and survey to investigate presence of pest species,
and develop response protocols.
EC8.3
Expand the range of sites currently monitored, to consider a
wider variety of habitats, and continue monitoring existing sites
Program implementation
Principal partners in the delivery of the East Coast program will be Parks Victoria, Gippsland
Coastal Board, DEPI, EGSC, DTPLI, Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation,
other traditional owners, Landcare, delegated Crown land managers (e.g. CoMs), and other
community groups and landholders.
The coordinating agency will be the EGCMA.
Program delivery will be coordinated with the Southern Rivers CMA (New South Wales).
Implementation arrangements for the RCS are described in Chapter 7.
6.7
Far East Catchments program
Overview
The Far East Catchments program is an integrated landscape scale program for managing
the significant natural assets of the catchments east of the Gippsland Lakes catchment. It
applies to all land, regardless of management or ownership. The program is focused on
maintaining the condition of this significant relatively undisturbed landscape, with its large
and continuous extent of natural ecosystems, from the mountains to the coast.
47
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Management priorities
The Far East Catchments landscape area includes the catchments of Lake Tyers and the
Snowy River, through to the New South Wales border. The area ranges from sub-alpine and
montane ecosystems to lowland foothills, forests and streams (Figure 6.7.1). Water from
these catchments provides a range of beneficial uses to downstream communities and
environments.
Figure 6.7.1 Far East Catchments landscape area showing priority areas
The Far East Catchments landscape area is characterised by large tracts of continuous
native vegetation communities and ecosystems of highly quality, particularly rivers and
streams. The majority of the area is public land, including the internationally listed UNESCO
Croajingolong Biosphere Reserve, and significant areas such as the Croajingolong,
Coopracambra, Errinundra, Snowy River and Alpine national parks.
Several areas of cleared land punctuate the landscape. These areas are used mostly for
agricultural production. Most, such as Orbost, Cann River and Genoa, are located in river
valleys. Isolated cleared areas in the uplands including Gelantipy and Amboyne are mostly
used for grazing.
Five streams are recognised as Victorian ‘heritage rivers’, with the Snowy and Bemm rivers
being recognised in their entirety. High value streams are a characteristic of the area, with
many streams having largely unmodified catchments.
A number of streams cross the Victoria–New South Wales border, with the Snowy and
Genoa rivers having the majority of their catchments in New South Wales.
Although largely unmodified, the values of the Far East Catchments area have the potential
to be significantly affected by a number of new and emerging invasive plants and animals,
including some from interstate.
48
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Management priorities
Condition
The assets of the Far East Catchments landscape area are generally in good condition,
except in some relatively small areas which have been modified (EGCMA 2009; GINRF
2011).
Based on data and information reviewed and risk assessments undertaken during
development of the RCS, the current condition is being maintained in the majority of the
program area. However, deteriorating condition under current management is being
observed in some areas. In the absence of continued active management, condition is likely
to decline in particular areas and ecosystems, particularly under the threat of invasive plants
and animals.
Values
The Far East Catchments landscape area contains significant environmental values within
the Terrestrial environments, Rivers, Wetlands, and Soil/land asset classes. About 11% of
the area is productive agricultural land.
The dominant characteristics underpinning the high environmental value of the area are its
large size, and the small extent of its modification. The area is strongly connected to, and
supports the values of, the East Coast area downstream (described in Section 6.6).
Features of significance and the criteria by which they have been selected (see Section 5.4),
are summarised below.
Table 6.7.1 Features of significance in the Far East Catchments
Significance
Type of feature
Description and location
National parks and reserves
Approximately 33.4% of the Far East Catchments area is part
of a national park or reserve (~378,640 ha).
Trust for Nature covenants
Approximately 0.1% of the Far East Catchments area is
covenanted between landholders and Trust for Nature
(~1,280 ha).
Directory of Important
Wetlands
Nunniong Plateau peatlands, Tea Tree Swamp (Delegate
River), Genoa River, Bemm Goolengook, Arte, and Errinundra
rivers, Snowy River, Suggan Buggan and Berrima rivers, Upper
Buchan River
Victorian Heritage River
Genoa River, Bemm, Goolengook, Arte and Errinundra Rivers,
Snowy River, Suggan Buggan and Berrima Rivers, Upper
Buchan River
Special protection zones
and special management
zones
18% of the Far East Catchments area is part of either an SPZ
or SMZ, based on environmental values (205,544 ha).
EPBC listed ecological
communities
EPBC~ listed critically endangered ecological communities:
 White Box –Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy
Woodland and Derived Native Grassland.
EPBC~ listed endangered ecological communities:
 Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens
 Natural Temperate Grasslands of the Southern Tablelands of
NSW and the Australian Capital Territory.
criteria
Formally
recognised
significance
Rare or
threatened
species,
communities
and
ecosystems
49
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Significance
Management priorities
Type of feature
Description and location
Rare or threatened species
Recorded in the Far East Catchments area:
Flora:
 2 presumed extinct, 35 endangered and 144 vulnerable
species on the DEPI Victorian advisory list
 4 endangered and 15 vulnerable EPBC+ listed species
 61 FFG* listed species.
Fauna:
 6 critically endangered, 20 endangered and 39 vulnerable
species on the DEPI Victorian advisory list
 8 endangered, and 12 vulnerable EPBC+ listed species
 65 FFG* listed species.
Significant EVCs
Approximately 7.9% (~88,920 ha) of the area of native
vegetation in the Far East Catchments area is covered by
EVCs with a bioregional conservation status of rare, depleted or
vulnerable, of which 1.3% is rare (~15,030 ha), 5.1% is
depleted (~57,720 ha), and 1.4% is vulnerable (~15,860 ha)
based on modelled state data.
River and stream condition
Of the 77 river reaches in the Far East Catchments area, 24
reaches (31%) are in good condition, and 37 (48%) are in
excellent condition.
Wetland condition
Of the 402 wetlands in the Far East Catchments area, the
condition of only 4 have been measured, and of these 1 (25%)
is in good condition, and 3 (75%) are in excellent condition.
Native vegetation condition
Approximately 89% of the native vegetation in the Far East
Catchments area is in ‘good’ condition (1,004,510 ha) based on
modelled habitat hectares scores >60, from state datasets.
Productive agricultural land
11% of the Far East Catchments area is productive agricultural
land (120,740 ha).
criteria
Condition
Productive
land
* NFSR – Natural features and scenic reserve; +SSR – Streamside reserve; ~EPBC – Environmental Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (CWLTH); * FFG – Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
Threats
Within the Far East Catchments landscape area, risk assessments undertaken during RCS
development showed that:


the principal current threats affecting important natural and land production values
are:

soil erosion

inappropriate fire regimes

cleared riparian zone

invasive plants and animals – particularly predators (dogs, foxes) and hard
hooved grazers (horses, deer, cattle, pigs and goats).
the priority emerging threat with the potential to significantly affect environmental and
land production values within the landscape area is the emergence of new pest plant
and animal species.
Objectives
The priority management objectives, and their associated management actions developed
for the Far East Catchments area are summarised below.
Objectives which apply to the entire Far East Catchments area are described first
(‘Landscape scale’), followed by objectives which apply to specific areas (Figure 6.7.1).
50
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Management priorities
Table 6.7.2 Objectives and management actions for the Far East Catchments (not in
priority order)
Objectives (20-year)
Management actions (six years)
Apply across the whole landscape area
FEC1
FEC2
Maintenance and
targeted improvement of
the condition, security,
diversity and integrity of
natural ecosystems and
the status of threatened
species and communities
Maintenance of soil
condition and stability on
public land
Prioritise protection and recovery of threatened species and communities,
to include the following:
FEC1.1

manage priority threatened species and communities that
require direct intervention to support their recovery
FEC1.2

implement direct interventions where needed, as guided by
recovery plans and action statements
FEC1.3

improve integration of threatened species and community
recovery activities with other land management programs
FEC1.4

support recovery of fauna threatened by fox predation by
reducing fox abundance at a landscape scale.
FEC1.5
Prioritise invasive plant and animal programs of surveillance,
monitoring and treatment in accordance with the East
Gippsland Invasive Plants and Animals Plan (EGCMA 2011).
FEC1.6
Develop and improve partnerships to better integrate the
planning and delivery of works and programs within the region
and across regional boundaries.
FEC1.7
Investigate opportunities for a multi-region approach to further
address landscape scale issues (particularly in alpine
environments).
Reduce erosion from soils on public land in particular after intense
bushfires followed by high run off events, (reducing offsite effects, while
ensuring public safety) by doing the following:
FEC2.1

prioritise appropriate road maintenance regimes for the
overall road and tracks network on public land.
FEC2.2

maintain road and tracks network condition to support fire
management.
FEC2.3

ensure that compliance with fire codes of practice is audited
(bushfire and planned burning).
FEC2.4

ensure that compliance with codes of practice for timber
haulage and harvesting is audited.
FEC2.5

use ‘rapid risk assessment methods’ for natural disaster
recovery.
Apply to only part of the landscape area
FEC3
FEC4
Targeted improvement of
the productive values and
stability of the Snowy
Mountain Basin and
Buchan Valley
agricultural land and soils
Targeted improvement of
the condition, security,
diversity and connectivity
of native vegetation
within the Monaro
Tablelands, floodplains of
the Cann and Genoa
rivers and along the
Combienbar River
Encourage best practice, maintaining appropriate ground cover,
minimising the threat from erosion in accordance with the East Gippsland
Soil Erosion Management Plan (DPI 2009a), by doing the following:
FEC3.1

undertake soil testing and encourage appropriate response
where remedial action or change of practice is advisable
FEC3.2

encourage appropriate grazing management and species
selection and management.
FEC4.1
Develop and improve partnerships to foster shared ownership
and responsibility for sites with landholders and to better
integrate the planning and delivery of works and programs
among all partners.
FEC4.2
Improve condition of the Cann floodplain, Combienbar
floodplain, and Genoa floodplain through partnerships with
landholders, stock exclusion, revegetation and invasive plant
and animal programs of surveillance, monitoring and
treatment.
FEC4.3
Prioritise and improve the condition and extent of rare and
threatened vegetation communities on the Monaro tablelands.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Objectives (20-year)
FEC5
FEC6
Targeted improvement of
the condition of Alpine
peatlands
Targeted improvement in
the condition of the
upstream reaches of the
Cann River
Management priorities
Management actions (six years)
FEC5.1
Manage and where possible, reduce the effects of disturbance
caused by hard hooved grazers, invasive flora and visitors on
Alpine peatlands
FEC5.2
Apply appropriate fire management regimes and practices
around Alpine peatlands.
FEC5.3
Implement actions identified in the Victorian Peatlands Spatial
Action Plan (Parks Victoria, in prep.).
FEC6.1
Develop and improve partnerships to foster shared ownership
and responsibility for sites with landholders and to better
integrate the planning and delivery of works and programs.
FEC6.2
Improve condition of the upstream reaches of the Cann River
through stabilisation works, partnerships with landholders,
stock exclusion, revegetation and invasive plant and animal
programs of surveillance, monitoring and treatment.
Program implementation
Principal partners in the delivery of the Far East Catchments program will be Parks Victoria,
DEPI, EGSC, traditional owners, Genoa River Interstate Liaison Committee, New South
Wales Office of Water, New South Wales Department of Environment and Heritage, Trust for
Nature, Landcare, delegated Crown land managers (e.g. CoMs), other community groups
and landholders.
The coordinating agency will be the EGCMA.
Program delivery will be coordinated with the Southern Rivers CMA (New South Wales).
Implementation arrangements for the RCS are described in Chapter 7.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting
7 Implementation, monitoring, evaluation
and reporting
7.1
Implementation
Implementation planning
The EGCMA will prepare an RCS implementation planning framework by 30 December 2012
to ensure that the responsibilities for management actions are clearly established,
implementation is focused and coordinated, and funding opportunities are identified. The
framework will establish monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) requirements, and will
be developed in conjunction with regional delivery partners.
The implementation plan will be regularly reviewed to maintain its currency and relevance. It
will adapt to changes in resources, technology, sub strategy development and policy, and
have the capacity to adapt to unforeseeable major disturbances such as fires or floods.
As described in Chapter 6, the objectives of the RCS and their associated management
actions are framed in five programs – one which covers the entire region and four which are
sub-regional. Many of the objectives that appear in one program have an associated
objective in other programs. A table illustrating the associations and links between objectives
and broader NRM themes is shown in Appendix 2.
Program working groups
The RCS will be implemented through partnerships involving:

agencies with land management or other relevant legislated responsibilities in the
five areas

communities in the program areas

other stakeholders such as non-government organisations, Landcare and other
community groups.
To ensure that the RCS is implemented in an integrated manner, the EGCMA will establish
program working groups (PWGs) made up of representatives from the delivery partners
working on management actions associated with the five programs. This integration
approach builds on previous and current collaboration practice in the region, evident most
recently in the strong participation of delivery partners in the development of the RCS.
The program working groups will be responsible for coordinating specific aspects of RCS
implementation within programs or themes (as shown in Appendix 2). These responsibilities
will include developing:

implementation targets

action planning, updated annually

targeted investment proposals

integrated delivery arrangements

coordinated monitoring and evaluation of implementation, including integrated
reporting against targets

adaptive management.
Targets
The ability to measure progress in RCS implementation will be improved by the setting of
appropriate targets that express what management actions are intended to achieve over the
53
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting
term of the RCS. Targets will be established to describe the expected cumulative results
arising from project activities over a three-year to six-year time frame. Reporting against
targets will have the additional benefit of showing the contribution of management actions to
their associated objective.
To be effective as reporting and monitoring tools, targets need to be ‘SMART’ (Specific,
Measurable, Agreed, Realistic, and Time-based). Thus, ‘By 2018, English Broom will be
eradicated from the Wonnangatta–Moroka and Bogong management units of the Alpine
National Park, such that only maintenance control will then be required’ is an example of
how a target might be stated.
Once proposed by the program working groups and formally agreed to by the delivery
partners concerned, targets will be endorsed by the EGCMA Board and incorporated into an
East Gippsland target register. The target register will be monitored by the Board through
progress reports provided by the working groups during the life of the RCS.
The 20-year objectives and the six-year management actions of the RCS will also be
incorporated into the targets register. Any action plans developed during the term of the RCS
will have objectives and targets which align with RCS objectives and their targets will be
added to the target register.
Resourcing implementation
Investment proposals to support actions of the RCS will be developed as investment
opportunities arise. Project proposals will be prepared in conjunction with delivery partners
and will be structured to reflect the RCS regional programs and their associated themes.
RCS implementation will be influenced by available funding and resources. The
implementation approach that will be applied in East Gippsland will coordinate the
prioritisation of management actions so that maximum benefit is achieved with the resources
that are available.
Throughout the implementation of the RCS the EGCMA will work with our delivery partners
to bring the best available information tools to support the establishment of annual priorities
e.g. in the case of threatened species, populations or communities, using the ABC database
and other tools such as the NaturePrint strategic values map. We will also seek to better
describe assets using updated and new spatial datasets and tools as they become available.
7.2
Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
The MER component of the RCS implementation planning framework will describe how the
implementation will be monitored and how the effectiveness of the contribution of the
management actions towards the land and water resource objectives of the RCS will be
assessed. The MER process also provides a consistent basis for communicating
implementation results to stakeholders and funding investors.
Catchment management authorities and DEPI are currently developing a new MER
framework which will apply to all NRM activities in Victoria. The EGCMA will comply with the
new framework when it is in place.
The RCS MER planning will use program logic to describe the expected cause and effect
relationships between management actions and their immediate outputs, and longer term
objectives concerning asset condition. Describing program logic will provide a framework to
monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of RCS implementation.
The EGCMA will coordinate with partner agencies to collect and collate the data needed for
effective monitoring, evaluating and reporting.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting
Monitoring
The EGCMA will monitor the implementation of the RCS by collecting and collating
quantitative measures from regional NRM agencies and partners.
In particular, monitoring will focus on measuring progress towards targets set in the RCS
implementation planning.
Monitoring will contribute to the ability to apply adaptive management and be undertaken in
an integrated manner to reflect the nature of the region’s program delivery (multiple delivery
partners, multiple investment sources).
Evaluation
Program evaluation will be used to test the validity of assumptions that underpin the program
logic about how and why particular management activities will contribute to the RCS
objectives.
Data from our monitoring activities will be used to consider evaluation questions, designed to
affirm or adapt the assumptions upon which the program logic relies.
Examples of evaluation questions are:

To what extent were the strategy implementation actions completed (during the life of
the RCS)?

How effective were the implemented measures (actions)?

How have completed actions contributed towards the agreed targets and RCS
objectives?
Program evaluation will make a significant contribution to the three-year and six-year RCS
reviews.
Reporting
It is recognised that all delivery partners have internal reporting obligations for activities they
undertake and have various arrangements to meet these obligations. A role of the EGCMA
is to ensure that reporting obligations are met for funding that is directed to the region via the
EGCMA, and to coordinate the development of a regional picture that reflects the aggregate
of activities by delivery partners that contribute to the implementation of the RCS.
Reporting on RCS implementation will involve annual reporting of RCS management actions
to delivery partners, the EGCMA Board and DEPI, complemented by more comprehensive
three-year and six-year reporting of progress towards targets.
RCS review
In accordance with the CaLP Act, a mid-term evaluation of the RCS and its implementation
will be completed by July 2015. A more comprehensive review of the RCS at the conclusion
of its six-year term will be completed by July 2018.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Appendix 1
The RCS in context
This diagram shows how international, national and state legislation and agreements
influence the RCS, and how the RCS relates to the development of regional and local
government strategies and plans.
International
For example: Ramsar Convention, JAMBA, CAMBA, ROKAMBA, International Union for
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
National
For example: Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC
Act), Water Act 2007.
Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-2030, National Framework for the
Management and Monitoring of Australia’s Native Vegetation (2001).
State
For example: Climate Change Act 2010, Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994,
Water Act 1989, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, Planning and Environment Act
1987, National Parks Act 1975.
Victorian Coastal Strategy 2008, Native Vegetation Management: A framework for action
(2002) revised 2005, Management Strategy for Victoria’s Marine National Parks and
Sanctuaries (2003–2010), Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy 1997.
Inform the development of the RCS
REGIONAL CATCHMENT STRATEGY
(broad strategic directions for management of the region’s natural resource assets)
Informs development
REGIONAL SUB-STRATEGIES AND PLANS
(detailed actions and responsibilities)
For example: Gippsland Sustainable Water Strategy,
East Gippsland Invasive Plant And Animal Plan, East
Gippsland Soil Erosion Management Plan, East
Gippsland Waterway Management Strategy, Gippsland
Lakes Environmental Strategy.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
STRATEGIES AND
PLANNING TOOLS
For example: Environment strategies,
local management plans, local
government planning schemes and
overlays.
Investment Proposals (Outputs)
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Appendix 2
This table shows the relationships between the RCS programs and various natural resource management themes.
Program Gippsland Lakes and
Hinterland
Theme
GLH1. Targeted improvement of
Land health
the productive values and
stability of agricultural land and
soils
Gippsland Lakes
Upper Catchment
East Coast
Far East
Catchments
Region-wide
GLUC4. Targeted improvement
of the productive values and
stability of the Dargo Mountain
Basin and Tambo Valley
agricultural land and soils
EC4. Targeted improvement of
the productive values and
stability of Lower Snowy
agricultural land and soils
FEC3. Targeted improvement of
the productive values and
stability of the Snowy Mountain
Basin and Buchan Valley
agricultural land and soils
RW2. Maintenance of the
productive values and stability of
agricultural land and soils.
EC5. Improved awareness of
the implications of disturbing
potential acid sulfate soils by the
landholders of the lower Snowy
agricultural land
Environmental
stewardship
Biodiversity
GLH2. Targeted improvement of
the condition, security, diversity
and connectivity of native
vegetation
GLUC2. Maintenance of soil
condition and stability on public
land
GLUC5. Targeted improvement
of the condition, security,
diversity and connectivity of
native vegetation within the
Dargo Mountain Basin and
Tambo Valley, and along the
Wonnangatta river
EC6. Targeted improvement of
the condition, security, diversity
and connectivity of wetland and
riparian (estuarine and riverine)
native vegetation in the Lower
Snowy, Brodribb and Cabbage
Tree Creek
FEC2. Maintenance of soil
condition and stability on public
land
FEC4. Targeted improvement of
the condition, security, diversity
and connectivity of native
vegetation within the Monaro
Tablelands, floodplains of the
Cann and Genoa rivers and
along the Combienbar River
RW3. Limit the risk of pathogen
movement (e.g. Myrtle Rust and
Phytophthora root rot) in
terrestrial environments
GLH3. Targeted improvement of
the status of threatened species
and communities
GLUC1. Maintenance and
targeted improvement of the
condition, security, diversity and
integrity of natural ecosystems
and the status of threatened
species and communities
EC1. Maintenance and targeted
improvement of the condition,
security, diversity and integrity
of natural ecosystems and the
status of threatened species and
communities
EC2. Improved understanding of
the effects of coastal processes
and acceleration of these
changes on susceptible species
and communities with high
natural values.
57
FEC1. Maintenance and
targeted improvement of the
condition, security, diversity and
integrity of natural ecosystems
and the status of threatened
species and communities
RW1. Establish an effective
biosecurity approach to invasive
plants and animals management
in East Gippsland.
RW4. Implement fire
management regimes that
promote the resilience and
health of natural ecosystems.
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Program
Theme
Inland aquatic
ecosystems
Gippsland Lakes and
Hinterland
Gippsland Lakes
Upper Catchment
GLH4. Targeted improvement of
the water quality and freshwater
flow regime of the Gippsland
Lakes
GLH9. Targeted improvement in
the condition of the Nicholson
and Mitchell rivers
GLUC3. Targeted protection of
the water quality and freshwater
flow regime of the Gippsland
Lakes
GLUC7. Targeted improvement
of the condition of the
waterways in the upper
catchment to the Gippsland
Lakes, particularly along the
Mitchell and Nicholson rivers
GLH5. Improved knowledge of
location, condition and risks to
wetlands on the Redgum Plains,
Lower Mitchell and Lower
Tambo rivers.
Coastal and
marine
GLH6. Targeted provision of
appropriate freshwater and
salinity regimes for selected
fringing wetlands of the
Gippsland Lakes
GLH7. Increased sustainability
of land use, with development in
appropriate nodes along the
Gippsland Lakes coastline
GLH8. Plan for adaptation of
Gippsland Lakes communities to
changing conditions along the
coastline
East Coast
Far East
Catchments
FEC6. Targeted improvement in
the condition of the upstream
reaches of the Cann River
EC3. Improved knowledge of
risks, and maintenance of the
condition of wetlands between
Lake Tyers and the Snowy river,
near the Thurra and Wingan
rivers, and east of Mallacoota
GLUC6. Targeted improvement
of the condition of Alpine
peatlands
FEC5. Targeted improvement of
the condition of Alpine peatlands
EC7. Increased sustainability of
land use, with development in
appropriate nodes adjacent to
townships along the East Coast
EC8. Improved knowledge of
risks, and maintenance of the
condition of the Croajingolong
and Cape Howe marine assets
58
Region-wide
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Shortened forms
AVIRA
Aquatic value identification and risk assessment approach
CaLP Act
Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994
CAMBA
China–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement
CoMs
Committees of Management (delegated managers of Crown land)
DEPI
Department of Environment and Primary Industries
DPCD
Department of Planning and Community Development (now DTPLI)
DPI
Department of Primary Industry (now DEPI)
DSE
Department of Sustainability and Environment (now DEPI)
DTPLI
Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure
EC
East Coast landscape area
EGCMA
East Gippsland Management Authority
EGSC
East Gippsland Shire Council
EGSEMP
East Gippsland Soil Erosion Management Plan
EPA
Environmental Protection Authority
EPBC Act
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth)
EVC
Ecological vegetation class
FEC
Far East Catchments landscape area
FFG Act
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988
GCB
Gippsland Coastal Board
GINRF
Gippsland Integrated Natural Resources Forum
GLCT
Gippsland Lakes Catchment Taskforce
GLH
Gippsland Lakes and Hinterland landscape area
GLMAC
Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Advisory Committee
GLUC
Gippsland Lakes Upper Catchment landscape area
IUCN
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
JAMBA
Japan–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement
MER
Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
NFSR
Natural features and scenic reserve
NRM
Natural resource management
RCS
Regional catchment strategy
ROKAMBA
Republic of Korea–Australia Migratory Bird Agreement
SMZ/SPZ
Special management zone/ protection zone
SSR
Streamside reserve
VCMC
Victorian Catchment Management Council
WGCMA
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
WSC
Wellington Shire Council
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Glossary
ABC database
A Department of Environment and Primary Industries spatial database
of recommended actions for the conservation and recovery of
threatened species in Victoria, annual action planning and recording of
the results of those actions.
Asset
Tangible bio-physical elements of the environment that are valuable for
their ecosystem services (DSE 2011a)
Natural elements of the environment, with environmental, social and
economic values.
Asset based approach
A systematic approach to managing natural resources in the most cost
effective manner through identifying those features of a region or state
(assets) that provide high value services, which are at high risk from
threats and have feasible management actions.
Asset class
Categories of different types of natural assets such as Rivers,
Estuaries, Wetlands, Coasts, Marine, Terrestrial Environments and
Soil/land.
Biosecurity approach
The protection of the economy, the environment, social amenity or
human health from negative impacts associated with the entry,
establishment or spread of animal or plant pests and disease, or
invasive plant and animal species. (DPI 2009b)
Biosphere reserve
A reserve that includes both protected areas and surrounding lands
where management combines conservation and the sustainable use of
natural resources.
Condition trajectory
The likely trend in condition of an asset over the next 20 years under
current management.
Ecologically Healthy
Waterway
A waterway which retains the major ecological features and functioning
of that waterway prior to European settlement and which can sustain
these characteristics into the future.
Ecological vegetation
class
A classification of native vegetation based on a combination of floristic,
life form and ecological characteristics.
Functional relationship
Defined, using both geomorphic and EVC criteria, in the Gippsland
Coastal and Marine Asset Report (GCB 2011).
Growth stage
distributions
The array of growth stages occurring within a vegetation community.
Heritage river
A river protected in Victoria for its special features under the Heritage
Rivers Act 1987.
‘Highlands Down’
program
The name given to a strategic approach to the control of pest plants and
animals which involves many land management agencies in the region.
Program logic
A description of the expected relationships between management
actions, their outputs, and longer term management outcomes.
‘Protecting the Best’
program
The name given to a strategic approach to the control of pest plants and
animals which involves many land management agencies in the region,
and in southern New South Wales.
Ramsar Convention
An international treaty (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) for the conservation and
sustainable utilisation of wetlands.
Rapid risk assessment
methods
This refers to methods to perform rapid environmental risk assessment
in emergency management of natural assets and aims to provide a
seamless transition from response to emergency stabilisation to
recovery.
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East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
References
DPCD 2012, Victoria In Future, Department of Planning and Community Development.
DPCD, in prep., Gippsland Integrated Land Use Plan, Department of Planning and
Community Development.
DPI 2009a, East Gippsland Soil Erosion Management Plan, Department of Primary
Industries.
——2009b, Biosecurity Strategy for Victoria, Department of Primary Industries.
DSE 2004, Red Gum Plains Biodiversity Action Plan, Department of Sustainability and
Environment.
——2005, The Index of Stream Condition: The Second Benchmark of Victorian River
Condition, Department of Sustainability and Environment.
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——2011a, The Asset-Based Approach to Priority Setting, Department of Sustainability and
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——2012, Code of Practice for Bushfire Management on Public Land, Department of
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——2011, East Gippsland Invasive Plants and Animals Plan, East Gippsland Catchment
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61
East Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019
Fire Services Commissioner 2011 Bushfire Safety Policy Framework, Fire Services
Commissioner Victoria
GCB 2000, Gippsland Integrated Coastal Planning Project – technical papers, Gippsland
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——2011 Gippsland Coastal and Marine Asset Report, Gippsland Coastal Board.
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GLMAC, in prep, Gippsland Lakes Environmental Strategy
GRSFMPC 2011, Gippsland Regional Strategic Fire Management Plan, Gippsland Regional
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Australian Government’s National Food Plan green paper/white paper development
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How to obtain a copy
This document is available in PDF format at <www.egcma.com.au>
A copy on CD can be obtained by contacting <egcma@egcma.com.au> or 03 5152 0600.
Cover photographs
Snowy River at McKillops Bridge
Gippsland Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueurii howittii)
Intensive horticulture at Lindenow
Thurra River Estuary
Environmental Works Crew, Moogji Aboriginal Council, Orbost
All photographs and maps courtesy of East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.
Printed on FSC Certified, Chlorine Free, Optional Carbon Neutral, Responsible Forestry Practices stocks.